The New Negro Movement: Poem Analysis

The Harlem Renaissance, better known as “The New Negro Movement” began in the 1920’s. It was a product of centuries of African American suffering and oppression especially in the southern states. As White Supremacy began increasing in the south, Jim Crow laws involving the segregation of African Americans did as well. Thousands of African Americans began migrating from the south to the urban northern states, specifically to New York. This movement is known as the Great Migration. African Americans believed that they would receive better treatment in the north because there were not any segregational laws. However, the Caucasians in the north were prejudiced and did not accept African Americans with open arms. These African Americans did not

He used his poems to express himself and to expose the cruelty that African Americans were facing. One particular poem that McKay wrote was entitled “The Lynching,” this poem gave a graphic depiction of what Africa Americans were experiencing because of racism. Furthermore, he in the poem he stated that the bodies of African Americans were executed in a cruel and unjust manner. McKay wrote:

“…The awful sin remained unforgiven.

All night a bright and solitary star (Perchance the one that ever guided him,

Yet gave him up at last to Fate’s wild whim)

Hung pitifully o’er the swinging

McKay went on a twelve-year voyage around the world to share his poems and writings. His works contributed greatly to the movement. He traveled to London in 1919, where he continued to write. Though his work was influential, McKay had a tough time being a colored writer in England. McKay wrote a book called “Home to Harlem,” and he stated that “Negro art, these critics declare, must be dignified and respectable like the Anglo-Saxon’s before it can be good. The Negro must get the warmth, color, and laughter out of his blood, else the white man will sneer at him and treat him contumely” (McKay, 85). He was basically explaining what he was going through as an African American writer in that country. Nevertheless, He continued to spread the message all through London when this book was published in England; which had a positive effect on colored individuals because they could identify with him. Moreover, when McKay returned from England to America, he wrote “Harlem Shadows”, which contained most of his poetry. His work from both countries was published in America. According to Mullane McKay’s work up to this point exceptional and is often cited as one of the inaugural works of the Harlem Renaissance” (492). Furthermore, McKay traveled to Russia after he wrote “Harlem Shadows”, and had his work published there in Pravda as well, spreading the message about segregation and the Harlem Renaissance. McKay also traveled to Paris, Marseilles, Nice, Antibes, Spain and Morocco. When he