A Renaissance in New York?

We all know about the Renaissance that happened in Europe. But did you know that a Renaissance happened in New York? Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City, long known as a major African-American residential, cultural, and business center. Up until 1883, Harlem has been defined by poverty, shabbiness, and was luckless. Starting with the job losses of the Great Depression and especially after World War II, rates of crime and poverty increased significantly. Europe in the Dark Ages, went through a series of time like Harlem when there was much poverty and government was very weak. There was much fight over polotics, causing the whole Europe to be poor and unprosperous. The Harlem neighborhood was strongly associated with these and other urban social ills for decades. However, as time passed the people of Harlem started creating entertainment. The Apollo Theater opened on 125th Street on January 26, 1934, in a former burlesque house. The Savoy Ballroom, on Lenox Avenue, was a renowned venue for swing dancing, and was immortalized in a popular song of the era, Stompin’ At The Savoy. In the 1920s and 1930s, between Lenox and Seventh avenues in central Harlem, over 125 entertainment places operated, including speakeasies, cellars, lounges, cafes, taverns, supper clubs, rib joints, theaters, dance halls, and bars and grills. This was the start of their Renaissance. This is very much like Europe's Renaissance because they once were in the Dark Ages, and when art flourished, they were on their way to the Renaissance Road. The lack of jobs became plentiful when a new Body Shop openened and a Ben & Jerry's ice cream franchise openened up and employed the homeless. Harlem once was in the dark ages, experienced a Renaissance, and is on their way to become a prosperous city.