I read about George Swanson's journey to the north in "The Warmth of Suns" (p.192) I was interested in his reflecting on finally being able to sit at the front of "something". That something was the Silver Meteor headed towards the north, a new life. The narrator described Georges frustration of having to sit in a Jim Crow car, which was at the very back of the train. Not only did he and other blacks have to sit with all the luggage but they also had to deal with the fumes of burning coal and listening to the noisy engine roar the entire ride. Despite all of these discrepancies, he and other blacks were still expected to pay the same fare as that of white passengers.
Now George was sitting at the front of the Silver Meteor heading north. All of that back seat riding didn't stop his determination to get out! The narrator says "He and the other colored passengers just had to live with it. George gave it little thought because he was on his way out". George was headed towards a better life, and though the discrimination he faced in his past would always be apart of him, he was still determined to move forward.
I thought this connected nicely with Claude McKay's poem "White Houses" in "The New Negro"
Your door is shut against my tightened face,
And I am sharp as steel with discontent;
But I possess the courage and the grace
To bear my anger proudly and unbent.
The pavement slabs burn loose beneath my feet,
A chafing savage, down the decent street;
And passion rends my vitals as I pass,
Where boldly shines your shuttered door of glass.
Oh, I must search for wisdom every hour,
Deep in my wrathful bosom sore and raw,
And find in it the superhuman power
To hold me to the letter of your law!
Oh, I must keep my heart inviolate
Against the potent poison of your hate (134)
If George Swanson ever heard this poem, I think he would have felt very connected to the message. Black people were plenty angry at the way they were being treated but instead of just wasting their energy on their white counterparts, they put their anger into something progressive, taking the initiative to move to the north and make a life for themselves. As McKay expresses, Black wore their anger proudly. They might have wanted to get revenge, to make the white community feel as burdened, excluded, and oppressed as Blacks had been but they didn't waste time trying to subject whites to this same type of maltreatment. They focused on gaining justice. Again I put emphasis on the fact that both McKay and George expresses anger. Anger was most definitely in the midst of the Black struggle but they fueled that anger into something productive.
I completely agree with your statements, Precious. I think that the fact that black people are/were able to remain composed through their frustrations shows a level of control and patience that cannot be praised enough. The anger that continually builds through acts of discrimination and injustice is restrained, and turned into beautiful poems, such as "White Houses."
ReplyDeleteThe creativity and means of making a way out of no way represents the struggle of black people. Through the use of poetry, painting, literature, and music blacks have channeled this common sentiment of anger and frustration into works of art. Not only are aesthetically pleasing works created, but they connect to the everyday person (like you said for George connecting to the message of "White Houses."
This was an excellent post to make me think more in depth about the poetry featured in The New Negro.
This poem and your analysis in its relation to Swanson's narrative are fantastic. I love that this poem acknowledges frustration and discontent, but simultaneously points to an idea of rising above the anger through personal courage and grace.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with Rae in her statement about black people's ability to compose their emotions in situations like those in The Warmth of Other Suns. Their actions should not go unnoticed, but rather should be retold and learned from.
Precious,
ReplyDeleteI also chose this poem, as I think it resonates with so many of the narratives in "The Warmth of other Suns". It is really magnificent and astonishing the way that George, Pershing, Ida Mae, and many others were able to sustain themselves, and stay alive (inside) throughout the turmoil around them. The ability to change this turmoil into a source of endurance, and in turn strength from this endurance is the biggest testament to their souls. Such strength. Such hope. McKay writes with such power, and passion that the strength of his words leave a lasting effect. They are subtle, yet explosive, and resonate for some time.
Precious I enjoyed reading your analysis. It was thoughtful for you to state, “Blacks wore their anger proudly. They might have wanted to get revenge, to make the white community feel as burdened, excluded, and oppressed as Blacks had been but they didn't waste time trying to subject whites to this same type of maltreatment. They focused on gaining justice.” I attended a Malcolm X workshop and we discussed methods of political, social, cultural, and economic liberation. As much I as appreciated Malcolm X and his ability to articulate ‘black rage’ and his proposed methods to free one’s self from tyranny; I have come to have a greater appreciation for methods of non-violence as a means to achieve peace.
ReplyDeleteAfter being mistreated and abused historically for centuries, it understandable to want to hurt those who have continually chose to degrade, abuse, and exploit you. I have come to realization that hate does not defeat hate; love defeats hate. As Paulo Freire stated, “In order for this struggle to have meaning, the oppressed must not, in seeking to regain their humanity (which is a way to create it), become in turn the oppressors of the oppressors, but rather restorers of the humanity of both.” Thank you Precious for such a poignant observation and analysis.
Precious,
ReplyDeleteI found your observations to be very insightful especially considering the nature of the material. I think that it is very easy sometimes to become lost in our anger and situations like these are a testament to our strength and integrity as humans. I think that the poem you picked highlights perfectly the essence of George Swanson, and the those who channeled their anger in a proactive rather than reactive manner during this time in history.
Precious,
ReplyDeleteReading your blog, I could not help but connect the dreadful conditions, struggles, and determinations of all minorities in our country today, to conditions of George Swanson's narrative. Although most conservatives depict our current society as a "post racial society", the deep seeded hatred towards Blacks and other minorities has exposed itself through events such as "Compton Cookout" of UCSD, hate towards muslims in Yorba Linda, Oscar Grants shooting by White policeman and many more.
Now, I highly appreciate your observation and analysis of McKay's expression that Blacks wore their anger proudly, but chose to fight for justice productively through determination. This is important to mention because, often time than none, blacks are depicted as violent criminals who are content with their impoverished conditions. Your blog and the narrative of "The New Negro" highlights the courage, bravery and proactive approach of millions of Blacks who faced systematic oppression.
Abrham Alem