Concept of the "New Negro" in Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston

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Sweat By Zora Neale Hurston
Briggs posits that the traditional view of the Harlem Renaissance entailed a movement that was greatly centered on Harlem and, at the same time, the growth of black migration. Through this movement, Harlem would emerge as a premier black metropolis. To escape from blatant racism, in search of new job opportunities and affordable housing, a large population of African Americans moved to Harlem. During this period, New Negro was also created, portraying African Americans as aware of themselves and thus advocating for dignity. During this era, not only did a large population of people migrate, but a lot of cultural influence was also brought about (Briggs). Poetry, music, jazz, and various forms of writing were used to portray the need to end racism and the pain it causes to the victims. The writings were also used to demonstrate the beauty of African American culture. The paper using Zora Neale Hurston's "Sweat" will examine how Zora helped create the new identity and still stayed true to the old identity of African Americans.
First, Zora Neale Hurston helped create a new identity for African Americans by portraying the huge role played by women in society. Delia in Sweat works very hard to ensure that her family is well-fed and living well despite having a husband. Delia worked for fifteen years, contrary to what society would have expected of a woman at the time (Oates 1023). She had to wash clothes for the whites, and although this bothered her husband, Skye, this is what fed them. The new identity for the African Americans that Zora depicted was that women were more than just home keepers; they would earn money and keep a family. As a result, a new identity was created to address the need for black women to find work and earn a living.
Furthermore, by portraying African American women as people who refused to submit quietly to abuse, Zora Neale Hurston helped to create a new identity for African Americans. Unlike in the traditional cultures where a woman would get abused and still not say anything because they were married, in Sweat, Delia finally learns and practices defending herself (Oates 1023). When her husband attacks her after finding her sorting white clothes, Delia decides to defend her. In the fifteen years ...