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James Weldon Johnson was an author, but he also led a life that was extraordinary enough in itself to fill several books. He was not only a prolific writer of novels and poetry, but a leader of one of the most influential organizations of the 20th century. He was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt as the consul in Venezuala and Nicaragua for several years, and was also a lawyer and professor.
These facts become more impressive when it is taken into account that Weldon was an African American man who achieved all of this in the early 20th century, a time when civil rights in America was in its infancy. His most notable work was his novel, Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, which sheds light on the concept of race relations in America.
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From his childhood, Johnson and his brother, John Rosamond Johnson, were taught the importance of education by their mother, who instilled in them a great respect for classic literature and music. Johnson went on to attend university in Atlanta, where he excelled in his studies, and took graduate level classes while also being part of a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma. Johnson's father held a high position at a hotel in Florida, and this inspired Johnson to achieve great things in life.
Johnson went from college to New York, moving to find better opportunities up North. He and his brother wrote music, and even had some of their pieces make it to Broadway! Johnson began getting involved in politics, always trying to make a path for African Americans to succeed. He was involved with the election of Teddy Roosevelt for President of the United States in 1904, and was appointed as the head diplomat in first Venezuela, and then Nicaragua. Johnson married Grace Nail in 1910, and she supported her husband in his efforts to advance the prospects of their race in America.
After serving as consul, Johnson returned to the United States, and was deeply involved in the Harlem Renaissance, a period of growth in African American literature, art, and music that was a hallmark of the Civil Rights Movement. He was responsible for various books of poetry and novels that brought attention to his cause, and that highlighted the plight of African Americans in the United States. Johnson also served as a high ranking official in the NAACP, and he spoke out against lynchings, reinforcing the idea of education as the way for African Americans to progress in society.
Johnson died at the age of 67 in Maine when the car his wife was driving was hit by a train. His contributions to American society, and more specifically, to the Harlem Renaissance, are substantial, and continue to be recognized today.
James Weldon Johnson wrote the poem Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing as a young man, and his brother Rosamond wrote music to go alongside it. This song was adopted by the NAACP as their national anthem.
While serving as a diplomat, Johnson wrote a fictional account of an African American man passing as a white man in society to escape the horrors of life as a black man in America. This book, Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, is one of the most significant pieces of work to come out of the Harlem Renaissance. This highlighting of race relations in America brought to the forefront issues of the time. Johnson initially published the book anonymously, not wanting it to impact his diplomatic career. Later, in 1927, he acknowledged the novel, but insisted that it was fictional. Johnson also published various tomes of poetry, denigrating the violence that African Americans faced as part of society.
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James Weldon Johnson was a successful writer, statesman, diplomat, and educator, an impressive list by any measure. When it is considered that he did this while African Americans were being oppressed for their race in America, it is even more notable. He strove his entire life to better himself, and through that, better conditions for his race.
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American Literature: Help and Review14 chapters | 280 lessons | 1 flashcard set
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