James+Weldon+Johnson.

 CJ Hellige James Weldon Johnson was born in Jacksonville, Florida in 1871 during the Reconstruction period (Poets; Life). As his education progressed, he realized that he would get an education and then use that to further African Americans (Poets). He graduated from high school in 1882, attended Atlanta University (graduating in 1894), then became the principle of the Stanton School at age 23 (Life). During this time, he wrote "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" due to Lincoln's birthday (Poets). Its popularity within the African American community made it immensely popular and earned it the name of the "Negro National Anthem" (Poets). He also started a Negro- based newspaper, the “//Daily American,//” writing most of the publication himself though the paper died about a year later (Life).

Realizing his potential, James and his brother Rosamond moved to New York in 1901 compose music (Poets). They made a well known name in Harlem, forming a team with Bob Cole (Life). Despite their success in writing for Broadway, James decided to pursue his writing career (Life). Due to a political connection that he formed while in New York, Charles Anderson, a black Republican leader, he was appointed United States consul to Venezuela, and in later years Nicaragua (Harmon). During this term (6 years), he wrote “//The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man,”// a narrative of a colored man who gave up his black roots for the white culture (Life). This idea of two-ness was a common theme in the Harlem Renaissance and this publication sparked such a large uproar that he was asked to write his biography. Shortly after his return to America, he was asked by Joel Spingarn, the chairman of the NAACP, to become the organization’s field secretary (Hamrons). During this period, enrollment to the NAACP rose tenfold, and James also edited “//A Book of American Negro Poetry//” (Life). During this period, he wrote “//God’s Trombones, Seven Negro Sermons in Verse,”// a huge project that he considered his life’s work (Life). He spent the remainder of his life teaching and died in 1938 (Poets).


 * Cited Sources **

"Harmon Collection." //The National Portrait Gallery//. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. . "James Weldon Johnson- Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More." //Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More//. Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. . "James Weldon Johnson's Life and Career." //Welcome to English Â« Department of English, College of LAS, University of Illinois//. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. .


 * __ 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? __ Final Analysis: __ James wanted to ask America if African Americans would ever be thought of as equal. Despite their “freedom,” they were still mostly thought of as inferior and lesser than white “America.” “Rising or falling? Men or things,” this line asks rather bluntly how they are thought of, and more importantly, how they want to be thought of by the white American culture. __ Meaning: __ This poem was written in 1917, just at the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance. The themes it has that relate it to this cultural movement are many, with every other line seeming to cover a new issue for African Americans at that time. The overall meaning for this poem is the question of equality from white America now and in the future. They ask, “How would you have us, the way we are? Or sinking ‘neath the load we bear?” (1.1-2). These two lines condense the very small message of, will you just accept us or will you still expect us to be lower than you and continue to be considered “lesser beings”? Then James goes on to talk about looking forward to a star or being filled with despair. This line shows that he hopes that they can look forward and make progress on a star; a truly good goal, but he fears that they will be held back in this mentality of being worthless without a future. As stated in the final analysis, the line, “Rising or falling? Men or things?” (5.1), shows that he is worried about which direction that African American culture is moving. “ He wonders how the world sees African Americans during this time; as people or items. “With dragging pace or footsteps fleet?” (6.1), asks if it will take a long time to change their thinking or if it will take great efforts, strides, and sacrifices. The last two lines connotatively ask if America will allow African Americans to join them and become a strong part of their society, or if they will still be their “slaves.” He is asking throughout the entire poem where the white American culture stands on this issue, and how far they are willing to come. He wonders if it white America will cooperate and see what they have to offer, or if it will take a large effort to get recognition.