Final answer:
Claude McKay was born in Jamaica on September 15, 1890, and became an influential figure in the Harlem Renaissance, impacting the Négritude movement and broader cultural narratives.
Step-by-step explanation:
Claude McKay was born in Jamaica on September 15, 1890. He was a seminal figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a movement that celebrated African American cultural contributions and aimed to redefine the African American identity. This cultural explosion was not limited to Harlem in Manhattan but spread across other urban centers in the Northeast and Midwest of the United States.
McKay's contributions as a poet and novelist significantly influenced the Négritude movement, where leaders like Léopold Sédar Senghor and Aimé Césaire promoted the recognition of African culture and values as distinct and valuable. McKay's literary prowess is demonstrated in works such as 'In Bondage,' reflecting his perspective on life, freedom, and the desire for an existence unencumbered by the heavy demands of oppressive structures.