It seemed to me that the primary purpose of “The Crisis” was to motivate the “Darker Race” to rise. I focused my attention on three particular pieces from “The Crisis”, an advertisement, a section called “The Horizon” and the poem “Negro”, to prove my point. Although all of these pieces served the same purpose but their method and what they were presenting were very distinct. In the “Negro” Langston Hughes focused on the history or the past of the African American race to motive the current blacks to rise. The poem gave the reader a sense of pride to be black; it spoke and comforted the reader. The author spoke of the “Darker Race” brushing boots, keeping door-steps clean, and building pyramids.
The black race did everything from small to large; they gave birth to civilizations. And now it has come to this that they are slaves to their children, they are in the foot of the very thing they created. Hughes is placing curiosity the minds of blacks, how can such be? We were great once, how did we come to this state? Langston Hughes is giving them the gift of inquisition, to seek, to inquire, to gain knowledge. Hughes is sending the message, gain knowledge and learn of our errors, thereafter bring changes, so we may return to our glorious past and be great once again. Similarly the advertisement, “Do you Know What Civilization Owes to the Negro? Can you give the names of the Negro men and women who helped to make this world’s History? The 2-foot Shelf of Negro Literature… .” was inspiring the black community to rise by educating themselves in their great history.
The Essay on Reflections on the Black Race
That the issue of Obama’s racial background is much talked about in terms of his fitness for the US presidency only proves this: that we Americans have a long way to go in our pursuit of adherence to the ideals of our declaration of independence. After all the document held the fundamental equality of people, and everyman’s inalienable rights, to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The ...
It was telling the blacks that you were once great and you can be great again. It challenged and questioned the mind; we were creators of civilizations, how are we now slaves to our very creation? “The Horizon” too focused on motivating the African community; however, in a little different manner. They focused on the present, unlike the previous two, by showing what the blacks can have with little effort. In this section there were decoded images titled, “The Dinning Room in a Negro Home”, which brought dreams to many black families. There were also images of professional African Americans, images of churches and universities operated by blacks. All these images were building dreams in the hearts of young African Americans; constructing the next generation black dreamers, singers, poets, painters and artists.
“The Horizon” was spreading the message that we are rising; wont you rise with us. After many generations of suffering the “Darker Race” lost their sense of belonging and their pride diminished. At such time, “The Crisis” came to motivate by teaching them of their true roots, what were they and what can they be? In an attempt to answer these questions, advertisements were given to promote education of black history (creating students and scholars).
Similarly, Langston Hughes’ poems were motivating due to its concise rhythmic historical lessons. “The Horizon” motivated by portraying achieved African Americans, although they were few in numbers but they served as lamps in darkness. It was because of the effort made in the past we are able to enjoy our present, we will always be grateful..
