James Weldon Johnson Research Paper

Over the years, African Americas have experienced and went through a lot. They went through discrimination, slavery, cruelty, etc. African americans have had several people be there voice and help fight for their freedom such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Nelson Mandella, and many others. One person who turned out to be a voice for African Americans was a man named James Weldon Johnson. With his talent and his strong mind and heart, he became a voice for the African Americans in a different way than others. This way was music!

James Weldon Johnson was born and groomed into success. His family was a middle class family but his parents supported him very much. With help from his father who was a headwaiter at a luxurious hotel, he helped Johnson push himself to become part of the talented 10! After graduating from school, he became a principal at Stanton School. This is where his passion to help began. He then wrote “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. This song touched many hearts around the world. It mainly struck the hearts of African Americans. This song was a voice for many African Americans who have went through a lot over the years. This song became known as the Negro National Anthem. This song spoke the words that many Africna Americans could not speak.

He was a songwriter for a variety of Broadway shows. When he wanted a break from writing songs and music, he started to write poetry. He said that African Americans should write. They should tell their experiences. They should not be quiet, they should write and let people know what is really going on. He was a great help with the leadership of Black America. He had a talent that not many had and that was political writing which he became prominent doing so. He went on to write many many other songs such as “Sence You Went Away”, : O Black and Unknown Bards”, “fifty Years”, “Brothers”,