Category Archives: Pride and Accomplishments

Poetry revealed the pride that African Americans took in their survival and accomplishments in the United States, particularly after emancipation and in the nation’s wars. The poetry often noted God’s pleasure with their efforts and their Christian, forgiving nature.

The Colored Regiment (1918)

Edna Perry Booth (white), 814 Prospect Place, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Chicago Defender, March 16, 1918

They were calling for men; more men to enlist;
More food for the cannon; more boys to be missed
When the carnage was over. the whites thought it fine,
But the brave ladies were first in line.
The skeptical laughed and said when they knew,
“They know naught of fighting; now what can they do!” Continue reading →

Up in Front (1909)

Welborn Victor Jenkins; Atlanta Independent, June 19, 1909

(Written by a trainman in appreciation of the boys who fired the trains on the Georgia road.)

1.
 No muse will sing of our deeds of nerve,
    No plaudits for us when our course is won;
 For we are naught but the dogs who serve,
    And silence must keep when the struggle is done.
 Yet we know best of all that our hearts are right,
    So we bend to our task till the saf'ty pops, "ziz."
 We fire our engines with all our might,
    But we're up in front where the danger is. Continue reading →

Sun-Kissed America (1924)

Nahum Daniel Brascher; Philadelphia Tribune, September 8, 1924

I am the symbol of Sun-Kissed America.
The blood of royalty runs through my veins.
From Africa’s soil; beyond the deep, blue sea,
Years long gone by,
Came they who gave to me beauty of Color.
Princes came out of Egypt; and from
The coast of Gold, though chained and scourged,
And made to toil by day and night,
Without reward, or hope.
But faith they kept, and love within their soul.
These gifts straight from God,
No man could steal,
Or cause to cringe beneath the lash.
Hope saw a star, the North,
Faith led the way;
Love unlocked the doors, and broke the chains.
The clash of steel, the lives of men
With countless names; blood of my
Blood, bone of my bone; in all the
Wars on this fair soil,
Helped to pay the price to make me free,
To see the Sun to know the God
To serve the cause and love
My fellowman.
That which was bought, at such a price,
In such a way, in blood and time.
Down all the streams of Time,
I hold most deal[?];
I will not [?] the trust,
Nor mar the honor of the sacred dead
I am the living symbol of Sun-Kissed America.
I will not cringe, nor bite the dust of fear,
I have a goodly heritage.
I will be a man–I AM AN AMERICAN.