James+Weldon+Johnson

Ashley Wilson Period 4 Thurnau ALPS9 4/14/11 ** James Weldon Johnson ** James Weldon Johnson was born in 1871 in Jacksonville Florida. As a kid, he was encouraged to study literature and European music. He went to Atlanta University and wanted to use his education to help the interestes of black people. When he graduated, he became a highschool principal in Jacksonville. On Lincoln's birthdayin 1900, he wrote "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" which became known as the "Negro National Anthem" and was very popular with the black community. He was big on black pride and that everyone is equal.James moved to New york in 1901 to visit with his brother Rosamond, who was a composer. Johnson got some success as a songwriter for Broadway, but he took job as U.S. Consul to Venezuela in 1906 instead. He had poems puclished int the //Century// //Magazine// and //The Independent// while he was working for the diplomatic corps. Under a fake name, Johson published //The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man// in 1912. It was the story of a musician who wanted the material comfort of the white world, so he rejects his black roots. He talks about the issue of racial identity, which was an often talked about topic in the Harlem Renaissance. He often talked about popular themes in the Harlem Renaissance such as racial problems, new music styles, equal right, etc. Johnson is a great example of a poet in the nineteen hundreds because he was exactly the role model of what a good African-American poet and artist should be. He was good at persuading people to work towards a common goad regardless of their different views. In 1920, he became the national organizer for the NAACP, or National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He edited //The Book of American Negro Poetry,// which contributed greatly to the history of African-American lierature. Influenced by his impressions of the rural South when he went to Georgie when he was in college, he wrote a book of poetry called //God's Trombones.// His trip to Georgia is what sparked his interest in African-American folk tradition. He died in 1938 at the age of 67. (poets.org)

__TO AMERICA__

How would you have us, as we are? Or sinking 'neath the load we bear? Our eyes fixed forward on a star? Or gazing empty at despair?

Rising or falling? Men or things? With dragging pace or footsteps fleet? Strong, willing sinews in your wings? Or tightening chains about your feet?

(poemhunter.com)

I think //To America// is a really good example of a typical Harlem Renaissance poem. Johnson really is able to portray feelings that a lot of people in the Harlem Renaissance were trying to portray. I think the difference between him and everyone else is that he gets straight to the point. He doesn't beat around the bush and symbolize the things he is trying to say and thats why he really shows what the Harlem Renaissance is about. He just goes right to the problem and asks "How would you have us?" He especially shows some courage of facing the white people and saying what he feels. I really like the second stanza where he kind of mocks the white people by asking them exactly how they want him to act. Do they want him happy or sad, people or objects for their pleasure. It is a really sarcastic poem that really shows a lot of feeling. I've never been a fan of poetry, but I really enjoyed this poem because he really stood for what he believed in. He wasn't the type of person that would submit to the rule of the whites. He was part of the African-American rights movement. I respect him a lot because of his strong will. I'm glad he isn' t the type of person who would surrender to the government and this poem really shows it. It almost seems angry the way he tries to figure out what the white people want. Overall, I really enjoyed this poem and researching James Weldon Johnson.

__Bibliography__ "Poets.org." //Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More//. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. [].

"To America by James Weldon Johnson." //PoemHunter.Com - Thousands of poems and poets.. Poetry Search Engine//. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. .