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Zusatztext Gathers the remarkable record of one of the most prolific, erudite, and eloquent African American writers of the 20th century....All collections. Klappentext James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) would have been judged a successful man had he merely remained the principal of Stanton School in his hometown of Jacksonville! FL. Destiny led him! however! to become the first African-American to pass the Florida Bar exam! to win international acclaim as asongwriter! poet! novelist! diplomat! playwright! journalist! and champion of human rights. Since that time! though! his life and contributions have gone virtually unnoticed! except for his well-known song! "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Johnson's dual role as civil rights leader and literary artist was unprecedented and has not been replicated since. He used this duality in attempt to exonerate black Americans from the psychological and physical persecutions of "Jim Crow." These two volumes comprise of Johnson's literary work! songlyrics! and both his literary and political essays. A critical introduction places Johnson in relation to other black artists! the development of African-American literature! and early integrationist movements. By painting a vivid picture of the race problem in this nation! and by his portrayal of the successes and possibilities of his race! he pricked white America's conscience. This collection serves as witness to Johnson's pioneering a momentous standard for African-American literature while he laid thegroundwork for the early civil rights movement in America. Zusammenfassung The two volumes edited by Dr Wilson, Director of the John Memorial Foundation, make an important body of Johnson's writings more readily available to scholars in African-American studies. Volume I comprises editorials from "The New York Age" organized thematically, and a critical introduction discusses Johnson's role in the history of the black press.
