Collaboration And Community In His Motto, By James Weldon Johnson

In the Harlem Renaissance, most pieces of art shared very similar themes and messages that were being conveyed. Many of them focus on the theme that collaboration and community can bring out the best in people. In the two works “Lift Every Voice And Sing” by James Weldon Johnson, and “His Motto” by Lottie Burrel Dixon, the theme in both focus on people being able to make a change for the better through collaboration and community. Those works both clearly support the theme of collaboration and community can bring out the best in people.

The work “Lift Every Voice And Sing'' by James Weldon Johnson clearly shows that collaboration and community can bring out the best in people. In this poem, the main claim is that through collaboration and community, we can make a change. In the poem, it says “Lift ev’ry voice and sing ‘til earth and heaven ring” which can tell us that by everybody coming together, we can make a change for the greater good. Later, it says “Out from the gloomy past, ‘til now we stand at last”.

In this poem, the main claim is not to judge people based on their skin color and to get to know them and collaborate with them before making any assumptions. In the poem, it says that “He got up and walking over to the boy said: what's your name?” That tells us that after Hilton (One of the main characters) and Durmont (The other main character) worked together and collaborated, Hilton brought out the best in Durmont by showing him that no matter what his skin color is, He is just as smart as any other white man. Later on, He says “You could have great opportunities for inventive talent and in my concern, you shall have your chance and go as far as your efficiency will carry you. What do you say, would you care for it?” This tells us that after Durmont knew who Hilton really was and what he was capable of, he got an amazing