Evonna S. Stewart - Literature--Freedom of Expression or Platform for Social Propaganda? lyrics

Outwardly reserved as a celebration of African American culture and art, beneath the surface of the Harlem Renaissance simmered scholarly dissonance of how to utilize this artistic platform to re-conceptualize the “New Negro.” The New Negro Intellectuals believed the literature created should advance the social propaganda of interracial conflict and subvert the majority's cultural stigmas. Contrastingly, the n******gati perceived this artistic movement as a free reign outlet of self-expression; deemed “sellouts” for inexcusably choosing to maintain white stereotypes. Dudley Randall's 1969 poem, “Booker T. and W.E.B” satirically illustrates the magnitude and lasting impact of the intellectual strife. Although their methods varied, both sides neglected the shared goal of African American social and cultural liberation. 1900--Up from Slavery, Booker T. Washington “notwithstanding the cruel wrongs inflicted upon us, the black man got nearly as much out of slavery as the white man did.” 1903--The Souls of Black Folk: “Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others,” W.E.B. Dubois "Mr. Washington represents in Negro thought the old attitude of adjustment and submission" 1923--The Future as I See It: "'Crocodiles' as Friends," Marcus Garvey "We have suffered for three hundred years, therefore we feel that the time has come when only those who have suffered with us can interpret our feelings and our spirit." 1925--"The New Negro," Alain Locke "The Sociologist, the Philanthropist, the Race-leader are not unaware of the New Negro, but they are at a lost to account for him." 1926--“Sweat,” Zora Neale Hurston “‘There's plenty men dat takes a wife law day do a joint uh sugar-cane...But dey squeeze an' grind, squeeze an' grind an' wring tell dey wring every drop uh pleasure dat's in 'em out. When day's satisfied dat day is wrung dry...Dey throws em away....Den day hates huh huh been' a cane-chew an' in de way.'” 1929--The Black Christ and Other Poems: "To Certain Critics," Countee Cullen "I'll bear your censure as your praise,/For never shall the clan/Confine my singing to its ways/Beyond the ways of man." 1930--"Negro Servant," Langston Hughes "All day subdued, polite/Kind thoughtful to the faces that are white/O, tribal dance" 1937--Blueprint for Negro Writing, Richard Wright “White America never offered these Negro writers any serious criticism...Nor was there any concern on the part of white America with the role Negro writing should play in American culture...the role it did play was grew out of accident rather than intent or design.”