Jospeh+S+Cotter+Jr...

By: Chase Housley

Jospeh Seamon Cotter Jr. was born on February 2,1861, in Nelson County, Kentucky. He was named after Joseph, the bible figure, who served and educated the people. His hope was to live up to this expectation. Joseph's education was hardly existent, he attended grammar school in 3rd grade, but was forced to help his mother. He worked several simple, manual labor jobs, and because of his size he was picked on, until he began to tell his fellow workers stories.

When he was 22, he desired knowledge so much, that he applied at Louisville night school. After two sessions, because of all the work he had put into school, he was deemed ready to teach. This was the beginning of a very long career as an educator, including being a principle for 50 years at one school.

Outside of education and teaching, Joseph played a very active role in his social life and in the Harlem Renaissance. He became the director of the Louisville Colored Orphan's Society, the NAACP, the Author's League of America, and several other groups.

Africa
She turns at last from out the centurys' blight Of labored moan and dull oppression's might, To slowly mount the rugged path and trace Her measured step unto her ancient place. And upward, ever upward towards the light She strains, seeing afar the day when right Shall rule the world and justice leaven the race.
 * A thousand years of darkness in her face,

Now bare her swarthy arm and firm her sword, She stands where Universal Freedom bleeds, And slays in holy wrath to save the word Of nations and their puny, boasting creeds. Sear with the truth, O God, each doubting heart, Of mankind's need and Africa's gloried part. ||

This poem is about Africa, and Joseph writes about it like a real person. It begins talking about how Africa has been in a thousand years of darkness, this represents how it has been in war for years between tribes. Finally, it takes notice to "the century's blight", or slavery, and it talks about the slaves "labored moan and dull oppression's might". "She" traces the way back to America, and the entire world takes notice of what is going on in America. "Upward, ever upward towards the light" speaks of Africa, and now the people of Africa, going to the light or freedom. The last two lines speak about how far away the end of slavery seems, and when justice will prevail.

The first line in the second stanza is about how Africa is now empty, bare, and weakened. "Where Universal Freedom bleeds" is about how freedom was "injured" or broken there. Africa in this poem is also something that needs divine help, "holy wrath", "O God". Africa is a clear representation to show other countries of the consequences of an act like slavery. This poem ends talking about how God needs to remove the doubt from mankind, and restore Africa to what it once was.

Works Cited "Africa by Joseph Seamon Cotter." //PoemHunter.Com - Thousands of poems and poets.. Poetry Search Engine//. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. . "Joseph S. Cotter, Jr. Biography ." //Louisville Free Public Library//. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. .