Rationale

In almost every history class I have had I learned of slavery and the wrongs against African Americans prior to the Civil War. I also learned of the Civil Rights movement of the 1950's and 60's with such heroic figures as Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. Yet I never learned about African American life outside of these two big events. When people began presenting their contextual frameworks I found the Harlem Renaissance interesting. Here was a time period that praised the accomplishments of African Americans. There might have been racial inequality but there was also an outlet for African Americans to express themselves. They turned to writing, music and art.

I particularly love Langston Hughes poem because I felt it had a powerful message. He acknowledged racism and stressed understanding and compassion as a way to combat it. If all of us can see that we are alike than we would not judge people based on the color of their skin. I also liked Theme for English B because of where it was set. Harlem the capital of the renaissance is a place that I am familiar with. The fact that it might have taken place in Columbia thrilled me because I have visited friends there so many times that I felt a connection to what Hughes was writing about. In my project I focused a great deal on Harlem because of these reasons. I spent a lot of time looking through pictures of African American life in the 19th century in New York and I found the YMCA to be an integral part of their lives. Hughes only writes one line about the Y but its importance was great to the student who lived there. I used a lot of photos to accompany my link concerning Harlem because I think they help capture a feeling of what life was really like for African Americans.

When I read this poem I was most impressed with the fact that the narrator tried to stress how we were similar despite our many differences. For me his honest accounts of his life and what he likes showed me how we can all are connected despite our difference. I admire this man who overcomes obstacles in his life merely because he is the wrong color. I know I would find it hard to go on if I kept encountering things to hold me back yet the narrator of this poem is different. He lives in fear of being judged which is evident when he asks will my page be colored yet he manages to write with hope. He uses this assignment as an opportunity to show that there is very little difference between us and that we are all human beings. I think this poem gives an accurate account of the life of an African American during the Harlem Renaissance. It also has a positive message that says we can rid our lives of racism if we take the time to understand each other better.

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