Primary Source Assignment #1.edited
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What are the poems “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay and “The Negro Speaks of
Rivers” by Langston Hughes about? What are the main themes of each poem? What do
you think the authors are trying to convey?
In the poem 'If We Must Die,' Claude spoke of the oppression of African Americans in
the hands of White masters during the slavery period. The primary theme is bravery amid war
and oppression. The line "O Kinsmen! We must meet the common foe! Though far outnumbered,
let us so show us brave." The poet encourages the African-American community to remain
strong and committed to safeguarding their dignity despite their oppression. This is shown in the
line "making their mock at our accursed lot; I'd we must die, let us nobly die.' This statement
shows that even when death is near, they must embrace it for what it is.
In the poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," Langston spoke of the important and untold
contributions of the community, assumed to be native Africans, to achieve civilization. The
poem’s primary theme is the perseverance of the cultural community roots. River Euphrates is
regarded as the cradle of humankind. By mentioning, "I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns
were young." The poet suggested that the community existed and was crucial in shaping the
human community. The author mostly emphasizes his community's contributions to the general
growth, civilization and development of the human race. The authors also show the key
challenges humanity must endure to achieve the perfect civilization.
How do each of these poems reflect the ideology of the "New Negro"? In your opinion, are
the views expressed by the two authors in these poems consistent with the intellectual and
cultural developments in Black urban centers during the Great Migration? Why or why
not?
In the poem,
If we must die
, Claude reflected on the “New Negro” as a brave group that
could resist slavery. This is shown in the lines, "Like men, we'll face the murderous, cowardly
pack, pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back! The viewpoints of Claude McKay are
consistent with the cultural and intellectual developments that happened in the black urban
regions. The lines “So that our precious blood may not be shed in vain, then even the monsters
we defy shall be constrained to honor us through dead! Through these lines, Claude implies that
their bravery will be honored eventually, even after their demise. In the current urban centers,
many locations and streets are named to honor the dead civil rights activists such as Martin
Luther King Jr., who put their lives fighting for a common cause.
In “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” Langston reflected on how the 'New Negro' embraced
historical experiences. Langston also acknowledged his contribution to modern civilization, as
explained in the line, "I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it." Langston also
acknowledged his success over the dark, difficult times like slavery. This is clear in the line, "I
heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans I've seen its
muddy bosom turn golden in the sunset." in my opinion, the views expressed by these two
authors in the poems are consistent with cultural and intellectual developments that happened in
black urban centers during the Great Migration. Their names have been immortalized forever
through the courage people showed in difficult times.
In Week 2, you learned about various forms of anti-Black violence that African-American
communities faced at the beginning of the twentieth century. How does Claude McKay's
"If We Must Die" relate to African American's responses to that anti-Black violence? What
forms of resistance to violence and political oppression do you think he has in mind? (Try
to answer this question broadly. Refer to at least two different types of resistance in your
answer.)
Claude showed the responses towards Anti-black violence. He called for the African-
American community to fight with brevity amidst their challenges. He called for the African-
American community to fight against political oppression and racial segregation. Claude
suggests protests and marches and also suggests civil disobedience.
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References
Claude McKay, 1919 - If We Must Die.
Langston Hughes, 1920 - The Negro Speaks of Rivers.