Tag Archives: James Weldon Johnson

“If a man is not faithful to his own individuality, he cannot be loyal to anything.” — poet Claude McKay

Posted on September 15, 2025 by sheila

Claude McKay was born on this day in 1890 on the island of Jamaica. He grew up poor, but was exposed to literature through an older brother. He loved English literature, he loved the Romantic poets. As a young man, … Continue reading →

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“There are a great many colored people who are ashamed of the cake-walk, but I think they ought to be proud of it.” — James Weldon Johnson

Posted on June 17, 2025 by sheila

“Nothing will do more to change that mental attitude and raise his status than a demonstration of intellectual parity by the Negro through the production of literature and art.” – James Weldon Johnson, preface to The Book of American Negro … Continue reading →

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“If I am going to be a poet at all, I am going to be POET and not NEGRO POET.” — poet Countee Cullen

Posted on May 30, 2025 by sheila

Yet do I marvel at this curious thing: To make a poet black, and bid him sing! — Countee Cullen It’s his birthday today. Cullen is often compared to Langston Hughes (my post on Hughes here), seems a little unfair, … Continue reading →

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“Guilt pins a fig-leaf; Innocence is its own adorning.” — poet Anne Spencer

Posted on February 6, 2025 by sheila

Anne Bethel Scales Bannister Spencer was yet another poet-librarian, like Dudley Randall, and many others. It was part of a tradition, one worthy of more study (there are websites devoted to it!). As the daughter of a librarian, I am … Continue reading →

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