Carl Van Vechten Carl Van Vechten was a white man with a zeal for blackness who had a fundamental role to play in aiding the Harlem Renaissance, which was a movement shepherded by the blacks, come to understand itself. Van Vechten played a pivotal role in the Harlem Renaissance and aided in bringing increased clearness and transparency to the African American movement. Nonetheless, for an extensive period of time, he was perceived as a controversial figure. The main objective of this essay is to write out a descriptive annotated bibliography on Carl Van Vechten and the influence that he had on the Harlem Renaissance. Specifically, this will touch on the importance of Van Vechten in the Renaissance and also how his book created a great deal of controversy amongst the black press and artists as well.

Annotated Bibliography

Bernard, E. (1997). What He Did for the Race: Carl Van Vechten and the Harlem Renaissance. Soundings: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 80(4), 531-542.

This article attempts to portray the impact of Carl Van Vechten on the Harlem Renaissance. In spite of the positive remarks given about Van Vechten in this regard, the article indicates his negative perspective of Van Vechten concerning the publication of the narrative Nigger Heaven. This was a work that, in spite having the right intentions, instigated a significant negative reaction amongst African Americans. The article provides an inquisitive and sobering assessment of Van Vechten’s novel, evaluating prudently the author’s aims against the indignation and anger that it brought about against Van Vachten and his black supporters among numerous African Americans. Unlike the numerous positive perspectives on Van Vechten concerning the Harlem Renaissance, this article indicates that numerous accused him of taking prejudiced advantage of the generosity afforded to him by the black community by assuming both privilege and agency.

Kishimoto, H. (1979). Carl Van Vechten: His Role in the Harlem Renaissance: The Literary Salon.

This article explores the role that Carl Van Vechten played in the Harlem Renaissance. Specifically, the article emphasizes that even though his novel Nigger Heaven is largely what took center stage, Van Vechten played a key role in literature. The article points out two recent essays that have highlighted this perspective and they include “Carl Van Vechten Presents the New Negro” by Leon Coleman and “Carl Van Vechten and the Harlem Renaissance” by Mark Helbling. In particular, these essays bear witness to Van Vechten’s significance and especially from the perspective of the Harlem Renaissance. The article makes the argument that Van Vechten ought to be reassessed as a significant literary figure owing to the reason that he provided a stimulating environment for the minds of both blacks and whites to meet. For instance, the article points out that one of the fundamental contributions that he made towards facilitating race relations was the arrangement for both blacks and whites to meet and know one another at his salon parties and this provided a free and unrestricted setting in which artists and intellectuals could eradicate their prejudices.

Wintz, C. D. (Ed.). (1996). Analysis and Assessment, 1980-1994 (Vol. 7). Taylor & Francis.

This book provides an extensive analysis and assessment of material and articles meant to provide a clear picture and cultivate an understanding of the Harlem Renaissance. The article makes the argument of how Van Vechten played a central role in the Harlem Renaissance. Specifically, the article points out that by being a critic of the arts, Van Vechten played a key role in informing white audiences to not only the power but also the beauty of black music and drama. In addition, the article insists that even though the novel Nigger Heaven was of questioning value, it did in fact call attention to the tastiness and intricacy of the Harlem society....

What is more, the book highlights the role that Van Vechten played in regard to being a friend and also advisor to numerous young black writers and being a patron to several black artists.
Coleman, L. (1998). Carl Van Vechten and the Harlem Renaissance: A Critical Assessment. Taylor & Francis.

This book provides a critical evaluation of the role that Carl Van Vechten played in the Harlem Renaissance. Specifically, the book is inspired by and brought into play by the letters, scripts, personal collectables, and published materials to look into the beginnings and development of the period in the 1920s, which was pivotal for the renaissance. The key advantage of this particular source of information is that it assesses Van Vechten’s contribution to the Harlem Renaissance by bringing forth documentary evidence that was never before examined or assessed by other authors. Furthermore, the book examines the fervent disagreement and debate that Nigger Heaven instigated amongst African American critics and the black correspondents, the African American novelists and friends of Van Vechten who shielded and supported it, and the manner in which it masked the true magnitude of Van Vechten's role in the Harlem Renaissance, as aspect that has prevailed until the present day.

Tabor, E. N. (2014)....…Carl Van Vechten’s passion for the black community. It delves into the the story of Nigger Heaven and explaining its impact on the author. Notably, the article argues that Van Vechten’s reputation in the present day is attached to the infamy that is linked to his book. Essentially every black author, performer and socialite of note postured in front of one of Van Vechten's characteristic exotic-print backcloths. Furthermore, the article points out that "Carl Van Vechten and the Harlem Renaissance,", is an excellently clear-headed expedition into a field in which befuddled opinion is rife. As indicated, opposition to "Nigger Heaven" came about instantaneously on publication, at the pinnacle of what is presently referred to as the Harlem Renaissance. Furthermore, the article indicates that in spite of receiving a serious backlash, for instance with his book being burnt, Van Vechten desired black novelists and poets to extensively delve into personal experience and convey something of the taste and sensation that listeners, white and black, found in the blues

Scruggs, C. (2015). The Unknown Van Vechten and His Impact on His Times. JSTOR.

This article explores the kind of influence that Van Vechten had during his times. Specifically, in regard to the Harlem Renaissance, Van Vechten spent a substantial amount of time interviewing black writers and artists as well as listening to blues and jazz. Through his photography, he took a great deal of phitographs wih renowned black arties such as Bessie Smith, Claude McKay, James Weldon Johnson and Nella Larsen. He exposed numerous white people to come and love the nightlife in Harlem. Furthermore, the importance of this article is that it shines a light on how Van Vechten extensively analyzed and wrote critiques of black authors and this in turn aided them in gaining a more expansive white readership.

Moeijes, A. (2017). Character Vs. Caricature: The Construction Of Blackness In Carl Van Vechten’s Nigger Heaven And Claude Mckay’s Home To Harlem. Leiden University

The main advantage about this particular paper is that it explores Van Vechten’s passing acquaintance with blackness. The advantage of this paper is that it takes into consideration the effect of his writing in the light of his authorial intent. This body of work points out that in as much as Van Vechten was white and privileged, he meant well. Authors such as Kathleen Pfeiffer and Lionel Shriver assert that none of his private material provided any indication of racial hated or bias or prejudice. Van Vechten’s participation with Harlem night life…