Harlem History

A neighborhood with a complex history that has shaped America's cultural and political landscape. From its contributions to the civil rights movement, to welcoming immigrants with open arms Harlem has also been brought to its knees by poverty crime and racial discrimination, but it has also been lifted up by activism music and art.

[WABBNMedia]

Harlemite here who attend college in the Bx, starting at 17:04, the footage is of the Bx by Jerome Ave (4 train) and Bedford Park Blvd., by Lehman College .

[richieblondet]

As some on this comments thread have already noted, the street scenes shown are not Harlem but sections of the Bronx. Also the opening images discussing Harlem in its infancy, it's earlier residents and depicting imagery in relation to theaters are also not Harlem based. I see what looks like lower Manhattan near Union Square at 1:19, the Colonial theater where "Shuffle Along" by Eubie Blake & Noble Sissle was first performed at was not in Harlem but in the formerly known San Juan Hill area (W. 62nd Street & Broadway), now known as the Lincoln Center area. The Lake Theatre wasn't even in NYC but a theater in Chicago. There is plenty of imagery and film related to Harlem, 125th Street, etc, during the eras being noted. The narrative is clear but people seeing images that have nothing to do with Harlem will have tendency to divert attention away from the narrative.

I also want to express that Derrick Edwards, the brother providing the young lady with a walking tour, is on point with describing the Black presence in Harlem becoming noticeable at the turn of the century. Few historians or chroniclers go that far back and point out much later time periods for Black Culture having manifested in the Harlem area. The early 1900s is truly when a Renaissance-like movement began. Culminating in Marcus Garvey's message of pride in Black culture. That movement has a hand or is tied to the Arts that was produced in the 1920s. Now known as the Harlem Renaissance. That HAS to be included so that proper context can be realized and maintained. Much respect to all who were already hip to such legacy, such as Derrick Edwards, people commenting on this video, etc.

[micable]

There should be 2 docs, 1 history of Harlem and 1 History of Civil rights in the area....

[reggiebarker]

I SAW MY 😥 OLD NEIGHBORHOOD IN WAYS MANY DON'T REMEMBER IT TO BE . I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN HARLEM SO WE'RE MY PARENTS. THERE ARE NO MORE HOMELESS 🐈, S AND DOGS, BUT THERE ARE STILL DRUGS. SMH, BUT I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HARLEM. THOSE R. MY. MEMORIES

[laminage]

Back in the day, New York, as well as Chicago, & Philadelphia were the Epicenter for R & B Music with Record Labels like Vee Jay & Chess and of course there was American Bandstand. As for Motown, it's legacy is still as strong as ever. When Berry Gordy created Motown's Charm School, he didn't know at the time it would be duplicated with Lou Pearlman who was once Friends with Smokey Robinson who told him about it, The Popstars Franchise that debuted in New Zealand in 1998 and even with Girls Aloud (2002) not to mention The K Pop Franchise.

[terucks]

Wow. . .This feels the same way how it is with Bronzeville Neighborhood in Chicago. . .

[queencoch]

There were abandoned buildings in Harlem during the 1970's, but i looks like this video is showing some scenes from the Bronx past and present starting at 16:14.

Well said by Marcus Tortorici a Harlem Resident discussing the gentrification in Harlem at starting at 18:02...

[travisdonaldstanley]

Thanks for the video.
I learned a few things.

One thing I leaned about in economics is that with rent control, businesses stop improving their apartments because the return on investment is less. They also build elsewhere because the return on investment is better.

You always follow the money.

[og]

They call Memphis the Harlem of the south . Harlem is drenched with soul

[katyarnold]

The sad part about us african americans is nothing has change for us economically, socially, spiritually, etc. We are still talking about brutality and racial profiling in 2019.

[simonyip]

1:22 that picture is from London not Harlem, and most Italian and Jewish people didn't arrive in the USA until the 1880's/1920's, long after the Civil War.

[shalomccs]

Harlem was the Mecca of the big bands and singers like Billie Holiday who fought against racism and segregation in the 40s and was persecuted by the FBI because the Strange Fruit song .The place were all political and civil rights movements originated.

[mycatsheenacashappid]

Harlem has a very interesting history. I look forward to visiting.

[JamesSimpson-gouf]

Malcolm x and Ali walked the streets of Harlem at this

[speedracer]

This is not about the history of Harlem
It is about the history of blacks in Harlem.
I spent the first eight years of my life there.
East Harlem was very Italian for decades. Before that it was Irish, Jewish, and German. Before that British. Before that Dutch. Before that Lanape Indians and who knows who the Lanape replaced !
It is therefore, hysterically funny to hear people bemoaning that the "neighborhood is changing".
Not the first time that has been said in Harlem.

[hereisayana]

If I doesn't show Harlem before gentrification, then its not worth watching....

[mmcdonald]

I love Harlem NYC. It's my home 🏠😄

[DTWritesbooks]

Harlem - may more Black owned businesses spring up strong

[carmswtbess]

Its a shame how gentrification is moving our people out of our homes and heritage all over this country. The rents are disgraceful everywhere. 😫

[jambutty]

Harlem is a magical almost fantasy place world renowned . I’ve heard and thought about the place over here in England since a child. It’s sad you have segregation. Majority of the culture we admire from the States . Comes from the black community. So glad I was recommended this documentary.