Harlem is a captivating and diverse city with a rich Black culture. Known by many scholars as the “Mecca of the New Negro,” Harlem’s identity is nuanced, and as a result, its history is challenging to comprehend fully. When looking at primary sources from Harlem and similar urban spaces, scholars should be particularly attentive to their multisensory aspects. By examining sensory experiences such as sound, sight, and taste within Black urban environments, scholars can more clearly analyze the dynamism and gravity of events and experiences in African American urban communities; This multifaceted approach allows for a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of Black urban history. Through historians’ analysis of sound, the reader can more clearly understand the powerful …show more content…
She begins with an account of Elk’s Parade where 40,000 spectators observed a band procession, vividly described by a primary source: “There was a shout. Then a cheer of joy. And then a wave of sound grew like an explosion in a munitions factory.” In including the explosion of sound that erupted at the parade, Corbould underscores how important sound is to appreciating Harlem and the significance of its events. This sound was as loud as a “munitions factory”, which provides the reader with a visualization that truly reflects the greatness of the sound at the parade. The reader can conclude just how crucial sound was to Harlem, and this is only done because Corbould provides an analysis of the primary source describing sound. This approach sets her argument apart, as it delves into a historical analysis of the unique soundscape of Harlem, something seemingly overlooked by historians but pivotal to understanding Blank urban spaces. While sound is important in understanding events, integrating visual elements enriches the reader’s comprehension by providing a more holistic