The Harlem Renaissance was a period of intellectual and literary growth promoting a new African American cultural identity in the United States. The decade between 1920 and 1930 was an extremely influential period for black culture. During these years, black people were able to come together and form a united group that expressed a desire for enlightenment. This renaissance allowed black people to have a uniform voice in a society based on intellectual growth. The pioneers of this revival were extremely focused on cultural growth through intellect, literature, art and music. Using these means of growth, they hoped to destroy the pervasive racism and stereotypes that stifle African American society and aspired to racial and social integration. Many black writers spoke out during this period with books proving their natural humanity and desire for equality. In 1923, Jean Toomer's Cane was published by the Boni and Liveright publishing house and received favorable reviews. The book was published during the heart of the Harlem Renaissance and promoted encouragement and interest in African-American culture.* For the next forty years, Cane went out of print and seemed to disappear as influential book. Many publishers claimed that Cane was too insignificant to be reprinted and denied the book's revival. In 1967, the book was finally reprinted. The reprinting took place during an era known as The Second Renaissance. During the Harlem Renaissance and the Second Renaissance, two periods of cultural renewal and rebirth, Toomer's novel was printed. Thus showing the importance of the novel during the resurrection era for African-American culture. The book explains how other races in the North and middle of paper......social suppression and achieve their dreams simply by believing. I argue that Kabnis should be the face of the south for all black people because he took control of himself, bypassed all social constructs and created his own dream and his own path. The only way for a restrained person to fulfill their fantasy is to break the imposed limits. on them and use the talents that God gave them to realize this dream. Jean Toomer represents himself through Ralph Kabnis. Toomer had a vision in which his art would dominate the societal prejudices and limitations that undermine the inner talents of every person, regardless of race. The Harlem Renaissance, with Cane's help, allowed African Americans to conquer the social construct imposed on their race and succeed by revealing their talents. Works Cited Toomer, Jean. Cane. New York, NY: WW Norton & Company, 1988.