Final answer:
The central theme in debates among African American writers of the Harlem Renaissance is the role of art in enacting social and political change, focusing on African American identity and cultural heritage. The renaissance was marked by a rich outpouring of literary and artistic expressions that both celebrated black identity and contributed to the American cultural landscape.
Step-by-step explanation:
A central theme in critical debates among African American writers during the Harlem Renaissance focuses on the role of art in social and political change. This intellectual and cultural movement, spanning roughly from 1918 to the mid-1930s, sparked significant discussions and expressions surrounding the exploration of African American identity and the redefinition of the 'New Negro'. Writers and artists like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Richard Bruce Nugent produced works that rejected white stereotypes and embraced black cultural heritage, societal roles, and personal identities, including their sexuality. The movement not only promoted African American culture but also significantly influenced the broader spectrum of American arts.
There was also a notable divergence among writers, with some, like W.E.B. Du Bois, seeking to elevate the artistic language to new heights, while others, like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, aimed to draw from their African heritage. The renaissance was not only localized in Harlem but extended to urban centers across the Northeast and Midwest, becoming an unprecedented period for the articulation of African American cultural pride and social freedoms.