Representations of "the New Negro" in Relation the Poem America
In "The New Negro — What Is He?" Philip Randolph’s and Chandler Owen’s representation of “the New Negro” in politics is, “The New Negro demands political equality.” (Randolph and Owen, 40). This quote shows Randolph’s and Owen’s representation of “the New Negro” in politics. Randolph and Owen claim that “the New Negro” must know the difference between selective and elective representation. When “the New Negro” vote for the Democratic or Republican party, they are exercising their right to elect their representative. Randolph and Owen believe that the person who selects political representatives controls the representative. I think that this means Randolph and Owen are accepting that someone other than “the New Negro” chooses the representatives aknowledging that their is a gap in political power between “the New Negro” and that person.
Randolph’s and Owen’s representation of “the New Negro” in economics is, “as a worker, demands the full product of his toil.” (Randolph and Owen, 40). This quote shows Randolph’s and Owen’s representation of “the New Negro” in economics. Randolph and Owen claim that “the New Negro” should aim to get more wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions. These products could be seen as “the New Negro” not getting paid what they are worth. I think Randolph and Owen are implying that “the New Negroes" are deserving of more wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions because of what they are worth.
Randolph’s and Owen’s representation of “the New Negro” socially is he, “stands for absolute unequivocal ‘social equality.’ (Randolph and Owen 41). This quote shows Randolph’s and Owen’s representation of “the New Negro” socially. Randolph and Owen claim that in order for society to be based on justice, it must have social equals and “the New Negro” should entertain intermarriage. The article refers to “the New Negro” as a he probably because of women’s rights at the time. I think women’s rights were not considered for the argument of social equality because of the time period. Intermarridge was probably a debated topic at the time which is why the authors included it in the representation.
The emergence of political, economical, and social representations in Black Identity could also give expression to the emergent Black identity in the poem America by Claude McKay. The line, “she feeds me bread of bitterness”, (McKay) could refer to the social criticisms and a new expression to the emergent Black identity. In this poem America is referred to as a she which could show a new expression to the emergent Black identity in women’s rights which shows social equality. The line “as a rebel Fronts a king in state”, (McKay) could refer to the political representation and a new expression to the emergent Black identity. States have elected representatives in the Democratic and Republican party. The new expression could be the idea of rebelling against the king in state which could be referring to rebelling against the representatives who control the system who choose the representatives. The line, “priceless treasures sinking in the sand”, (McKay) could refer to the economic representation and a new expression to the emergent Black identity. The quote could refer to not getting paid the full product from toil and the new expression of pessimisticism of the economy of America for African Americans.
Hey Robert! I like how you connect Randolph and Owen’s ideas about the “New Negro” to McKay’s poem because of the link between political, economic, and social identity. I had not thought about that connection before you mentioned it.I am curious if you think that McKay’s “rebel” is resisting only political systems or also internalized social hierarchies. Overall, very good job on this blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Robert, Your discussion of Randolph and Owen's ideas provided useful background information, which I had not previously considered, for reading and analyzing McKay's poem. While the women's rights movement was in full swing in 1921 when McKay wrote his poem, I do not think his characterization of America as a 'she' is reflective of the movement. Instead, I think it is indicative of how many things (e.g. cars, ships, really anything) were characterized then and now---as female, even though no gender is inherently attached. However, I do think that it is worth noting the difference in timeline for black women vs white women to receive rights and equal standing in society.
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ReplyDeleteHello Robert, I enjoyed learning about Rondolph and Owen's contributions of early Civil Rights. I remember Mr. Leff's regret when he could not have enough time to teach us about these two gentlemen. I agree with your interpretation of Claude McKay's poem excerpt "as a rebel Fronts a king in state" as referring to Black Americans' struggle for political equality.
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