Title: Harlem
First published: 1998
Description: In 1933, Morgan and Marvin Smith, twin sons of sharecroppers from central Kentucky, arrived in Harlem, the center of black cultural life in America.

For thirty years, the Smiths used their cameras to record the achievements of blacks in the face of poverty and discrimination.

Rejecting the focus on misery and hopelessness common to Harlem photographers of the time, they documented important "firsts" for the city's blacks (for example, the first black policeman, the first black woman juror), the significant social movements of their day (anti-lynching protests, rent strikes, and early civil rights rallies), as well as the everyday life of Harlem, from churchgoers dressed for Easter to children playing in the street.

Drawn from the collection of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the Smith family archives, Harlem reproduces nearly 150 photographs by these important artists and chroniclers.
Subjects: Social life and customs, Photojournalism, Social conditions, African Americans, Pictorial works, History, Black studies, Urban communities, New York (State), Harlem (New York, N.Y.), Blacks In The U.S., New York - Local History, Photography, Social Science, New York (N.Y.), Antiques/Collectibles, United States - State & Local - General, USA, Individual Photographer, Smith, Marvin, Smith, Morgan, Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General, 20th century, New York, Harlem (new york, n.y.), description and travel, New york (n.y.), pictorial works, African americans, new york (state), new york, African americans, social life and customs, African americans, social conditions, African americans, history
Places: Harlem (New York, N.Y.), N.Y.) Harlem (New York, New York, New York (N.Y.), New York (State)
People: Marvin Smith (1910-), Morgan Smith (1910-1993)
Time periods: 20th century
LC classification: F128.H3 S65 1998