The Lincoln Renaissance

What were African Americans in Lincoln doing during the time of the Harlem Renaissance?

John Johnson’s photographs from The New Negro Movement in Lincoln, Nebraska By Jennifer Hildebrand.

After The Civil War• When the Civil War ended in 1865, the South was in

ruins and slavery came to an end.• Many people both Black and White could not find work

so they ended up moving West.• Some of these people moved to Nebraska

African American Population• In 1870 there were 15 African Americans in Lincoln• By 1910 there were 733 African Americans in Lincoln.

Lincoln’s population at this time was 43,000.

Prejudice• After The Civil War there were still many prejudices

towards African Americans. • Prejudice is an unfair opinion about someone, or

disliking someone, even before you know them.

Prejudices in Lincoln against African Americans after the Civil War.

• These prejudices were true in cities across America• Could not buy homes in most neighborhoods• Hotels would not accept them• Restaurants would not serve them• Most businesses would not give them jobs• They did not have rights that other Americans

expected such as living or working where they wanted to.

Rights African Americans did have in Lincoln

• Could vote in public elections

• Could go to public schools

• Had their own churches

Changing the Image• African Americans across the country wanted to change the way

that people saw them, not just in Harlem.• They wanted to be known as being intelligent and positive

members of a community.

John Johnson

• From 1910-1925 Lincoln resident, John Johnson captured this movement in Lincoln.

• He wanted to help to portray African Americans in a positive way.

• He wanted to help end prejudices with this photography of African American community members in Lincoln.

Photo StudyLet’s study some of John Johnson’s photography of African

Americans in Lincoln. What details do you notice in these photographs?

What was John Johnson’s purpose in taking these photographs?

“Woman Reading” Photograph By John Johnson in Lincoln, Ne from 1910-1925.

Contextualization and Corroboration:Reading the book shows that she is educated and enjoys learning

Close Viewing:Nice clothes, hat, and purse shows that she can afford nice things.

Close Viewing:Looks like a very nice house.

“Woman Reading” Photograph By John Johnson in Lincoln, Ne from 1910-1925.

Sourcing:Who is the author?When was it created?Where was it created?

“The Talbert Family: Reverend Albert, Dakota, Mildred, and Ruth,” Photograph By John Johnson in Lincoln, Ne from 1910-1925.

Close Viewing and Contextualization:Family of father, mother, and two children. They are well dressed and look strong and confident.

Close viewing and corroboration: Picture was taken outside. Fabric backdrop. Wood floor looks like it is from a front porch, like some of Johnson’s other pictures

“The Talbert Family: Reverend Albert, Dakota, Mildred, and Ruth,” Photograph By John Johnson in Lincoln, Ne from 1910-1925.

Sourcing:Who is the author?When was it created?Where was it created?

“Ethel and Charles Smith with Anna Hill at Salt Creek” Photograph By John Johnson in Lincoln, Ne from 1910-1925.

Close Viewing and Corroboration: Photo taken at Salt Creek. Shows this movement is not just in urban areas. Most of the other pictures by Johnson were in urban settings.

Close Viewing and Contextualization: Demonstrates the themes of beauty and respect which were both important in this movement

“Ethel and Charles Smith with Anna Hill at Salt Creek” Photograph By John Johnson in Lincoln, Ne from 1910-1925.

Sourcing:Who is the author?When was it created?Where was it created?

“Women posing in front of little white house” Photograph By John Johnson in Lincoln, Ne from 1910-1925.

Close Viewing and Corroboration:Shows that African Americans could own a home.

Close Viewing and Contextualization: Businesses and warehouses in the background, not too many other houses. Businesses and factories were growing at this time in Lincoln and across the country.

“Women posing in front of little white house” Photograph By John Johnson in Lincoln, Ne from 1910-1925.

Sourcing:Who is the author?When was it created?Where was it created?

What did you notice in these photographs?

• Do you think these pictures were staged or were they taken showing what a typical day was like for them?

• What was Johnson’s purpose in taking these photographs?– Persuade– Inform– Explain– Entertain

What did you notice in these photographs?

• Do you think these pictures were staged or were they taken showing what a typical day was like for them?– These pictures were staged. They were wearing

their nicest clothes, they did not wear their everyday clothes. They wanted to portray a very nice lifestyle to change people’s opinions about African Americans in Lincoln

What did you notice in these photographs?

• What was Johnson’s purpose in taking these photographs?– Persuade– Inform– Explain– Entertain

Johnson’s purpose was to persuade the viewers of the photograph that African Americans in Lincoln were in fact educated and respectable members of the community.