Veronica Checksfield WR-150, Professor Bennett Paper 1-First Draft Outline 3 Sources: If We Must Die -Claude McKay, Returning

Soldiers -WEB DuBois (argument source), America -Langston Hughes (or Negro )?? *Claim: At the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance, it is clear that, especially from the above pieces, the African-American community must deal with the oppression of white society, yet they are attempting to put up a resistance and fight back at this time as well. Intro: (see below) Body paragraph 1: begin discussion of Returning Soldiers refer to notes, how the essay speaks of fighting in an actual war, and only to come home to still fight in an ideological war (oppression). Body paragraph 2: Ultimately, Returning Soldiers is about resistance to the oppression they (African-Americans) suffer could possibly tie in beginning of discussion of If We Must Die (describe the relationship between the two works, i.e. put them in conversation) If We Must Die shows more of a resistance theme because of how much more violent it is than Soldiers , yet still talking about the same concept (equality/suffering, etc) Body paragraph 3: further discussion of If We Must Die as its own entity (yet still related to Soldiers ) resistance

*Not sure whether America or Negro by Langston Hughes better relates to the other two works or my claim? Or should I use The Racial Mountain by Hughes? Body paragraph 4: Body paragraph 5: Conclusion:

Proposed Intro: From a very early time, African-Americans and other black people, have been fighting for some sort of civil rights, whether that was during the Atlantic slave trade, or during the Harlem Renaissance of the Roaring Twenties. Along with this fight, African-Americans were seen as a struggling, victimized collective amongst themselves, while to the rest of the predominately white society, they were seen as horrible, dirty people who most barely considered human. The Harlem Renaissance helped African-Americans come together and fight their battle. Through works such as Returning Soldiers by W.E.B DuBois, If We Must Die by Claude McKay, and America (or Negro ) by legendary black poet Langston Hughes, this theme of struggle and is exemplified. Inspired by the Great War, men and women of African descent asserted their rights to civil and social equality (The Portable Harlem Renaissance Reader, Lewis). At the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance, it is clear that, especially from the above pieces, the African-American community must deal with the oppression of white society, yet it is attempting to put up a resistance and fight back as well.

From a very early time, African-Americans and other black people, have been fighting for some sort of civil rights, whether that was during the Atlantic slave trade, or during the Harlem Renaissance of the Roaring Twenties. Along with this fight, African-Americans were seen as a struggling, victimized collective amongst themselves, while to the rest of the predominately white society, they were seen as horrible, dirty people who most barely considered human. The Harlem Renaissance helped African-Americans come together and fight their battle. Through works such as Returning Soldiers by W.E.B DuBois, If We Must Die by Claude McKay, and America (or Negro ) by legendary black poet Langston Hughes, this theme of struggle and is exemplified. Inspired by the Great War, men and women of African descent asserted their rights to civil and social equality (The Portable Harlem Renaissance Reader, Lewis). At the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance, it is clear that, especially from the above pieces, the African-American community must face the reality of oppression by white society, yet at the same time, it is attempting to put up a resistance and fight back as well. What defines oppression and resistance? Oppression is the exercise of power (over others) in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust way. Oppression was seen a lot during the Harlem Renaissance, and was seen as a theme in many forms of art, music and literature. W.E.B DuBois Returning Soldiers and Claude McKay s If We Must Die are two major works that illustrate this theme, as well as the theme of resistance. Resistance can be defined as opposition against a power or a person. Many forms of resistance were seen during this time as well, and a lot of works produced exhibited this theme, including those above, and another poem by Langston Hughes, titled America . Oppression and resistance appear to go hand-in-

hand as themes because not only are they major aspects of the Harlem Renaissance, and all of the artwork that accompanied it, but one also cannot have one without the other. At the time that the Harlem Renaissance began to flesh out not only New York, but the entire country, it coincided with the ending of World War I. W.E.B DuBois, one of the most prominent writers of the Harlem Renaissance, produced many works during this time. An outstanding work of his that exemplifies the themes of militancy and migration (Lewis, 3). DuBois essay Returning Soldiers is about all of the soldiers returning home to the United States after fighting in World War I. This fighting in combat in an actual war was literal fighting, but DuBois essay delves beyond that. We are returning from war! The Crisis and tens of thousands of black men were drafted into a great struggle (Lewis, 3). Clearly this is describing the actual war, but it could mean something more as well. The great struggle can be referencing not only the war that these men just fought, but also the struggle they face when they get back home and realize the war is not actually over. When these African-American soldiers get back to the US, they realize that while it is a relief to be finished fighting in actual combat, they still must deal with the oppression being set upon them by predominantly white society. But why is this? They just fought for their country, although DuBois describes America as This country of ours, despite all its better souls have done and dreamed, is yet a shameful land (Lewis, 4). From here, he outlines all of the oppression and hatred African-Americans experience, from lynching to disenfranchisement. The ending of this essay, which has a quality similar to a passionate political speech, sets the tone for the rest of the movement of the Harlem Renaissance. We return from fighting. We return fighting. Make way for Democracy!

(Lewis, 5). The ideological warfare will continue, but at this time, it will continue with resistance to the oppressors, which in this case, is society. Understanding the theme of resistance is important in understanding the work of the Harlem Renaissance. A work that truly exemplifies this resistance is the poem If We Must Die by Claude McKay. McKay writes about the oppression that African Americans face, but he thinks it is important that they fight back in many ways. If we must die, O let us nobly die/so that our precious blood may not be shed in vain (Lewis, 290). This line recalls DuBois Returning Soldiers in that it holds all of the passion the last lines of Soldiers conveys. It is also an extremely powerful statement because in resisting the oppression of society, there are definitely consequences, many of which were death. No one would want their bloodshed to be in vain, but this is a risk that African Americans took because of the way they were viewed and treated. McKay s poem is not only determined, much like Returning Soldiers , but it is also kind of violent in a way that DuBois essay isn t. For example, DuBois writes We would fight again. But by God of Heaven, we are cowards and jackasses if now that that war is over, we do not marshal every ounce of our brain and brawn to fight a sterner, longer, more unbending battle against the forces of hell in our own land (Lewis, 5). While DuBois is still determined to resist the oppression of society, he expresses this desire in a way that is passionate, but lacking in the violence of McKay s If We Must Die . McKay makes very physical and animalistic references in his poem, such as If we must die, let it not be like hogs/Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot (Lewis, 290). Both works define the sentiments of many African-Americans during the Harlem Renaissance, but they do so in different ways.

Another prolific figure in writing about resistance and oppression during the Harlem Renaissance was writer Langston Hughes. Hughes wrote many short stories and poems, but one in particular that stands out is America . The poem outlines the many definitions of America, recalling DuBois essay Returning Soldiers , but Hughes poem America definitely has other themes as well. I am America seeking the stars. America hoping, praying, fighting, dreaming. Knowing there are stains on the beauty of my democracy, I want to be clean (Lewis, 259). Hughes, like other writers, is proud to call himself American, even if he struggles with the oppression imposed on him by white people. This differs from DuBois stance in that he discusses loyalty to the United States in Returning Soldiers , but he refers to the country as it , after blaming it for various cruelties done to his people. Hughes is aware that the United States isn t perfect, but this poem has a hint of hopefulness that can be seen as resistance. I want to grovel no longer in the mire. I want to reach always after stars (Lewis, 259). In seeking the stars , Hughes (or the speaker in the poem), wants to see change in the country. Like DuBois, he is ready to make way for Democracy! (Lewis, 5), and to battle the oppression of society. Out of yesterday, the poverty and pain of the old, old world, the building and struggle of this new one, We come (Lewis, 258). In these lines, it is apparent to the reader that African-Americans are going to rise up against the unjustness and unfair treatment, and fight for their rights. Hughes poem, like McKay s, had passion, but instead of displaying it in a violent manner, Hughes shows determination. Hughes not only fights but dreams of a better tomorrow as well. The emotion displayed in this poem is raw in a different way than in that of McKay s poem. In both works, let alone all three, the theme of resistance to oppression

is evident because all three works deal with these themes, but take different angles and perspectives on them as well. The Harlem Renaissance was a time of great turbulence, great change, and a huge artistic movement in which African-Americans expressed feelings of identity, individuality, oppression, and resistance. Many works from the time are influenced by the latter two of these characteristics.