LIFT EV’RY VOICE &SING

The life of composer, James Weldon Jonson, and how his

song affected America.

By: Erica Thomas

James Weldon Johnson o Born in 1871 in

Jacksonville, Florida to James and Helen Johnson during a time of heavy racism and open discrimination.oJohnson’s father taught he and his brother, J. Rosamond, the importance of uplifting the African-American community and being all they could be no matter their skin color.

Early Community Involvement

o Seeing the racial issues in America, Johnson soon became committed to making a difference in his community.oReceived his BA degree from Atlanta University in 1894.oAppointed principal of Staton School; which he later expanded to high school status making it the first public high school for African Americans in Florida.oFounded The Daily American, an afternoon daily serving Florida’s A.A. population.oJohnson became locally known for his writings and leadership.

Atlanta University

Writing Lift Every Voice and Sing

o In 1900, Johnson and his brother, J. Rosamond, wrote Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing to be sung at Staton School’s Lincoln Birthday celebration. o The year 1900 was only 35 years after the end of the Civil War and 25 years into the establishment of the Jim Crow laws.o After the song was complete, it was published in The Daily American and printed for 500 school children to sing for the celebration.

James Weldon Johnson and his brother, J. Rosamond

Popularity Of The Song

o Johnson and his brother moved to New York shortly after the performance, leaving the memory of the song behind.o The school children and people in the community continued to sing and teach the song to others.o In 20 years, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing was being sung all over the south.

A group of school children; the main reason for the popularity of

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.

Negro National Anthem

o In New York, Johnson continued his work as a community leader through literature and public action. o Johnson was appointed Chief Secretary of the Nation Asso. Of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) during the 1920’s Harlem Renaissance. o Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing had become a very popular song in the A.A. community. o NAACP adopted the song as its official song, sparking the reference to the song as the Negro National Anthem.

A group of NAACP members

o Since the 1920s, Lift every Voice and sing has become one

of the most beloved songs in the African American

community. Taught for years in schools, churches, and civic

organizations and sung throughout the civil rights

movement of the 1950s, it is still heard in gatherings across

America. James Weldon Johnson’s lyrics pay homage to a history of struggle but never

waivers from a sense of optimism for the future.

Influence On The Community

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing’s message of strength and hope has made the song a

source of inspiration for generation after generation to break down the

racial walls and help shape the ever-progressing American Nation. This

sense of perseverance and progression, promoted by Lift Every Voice and Sing,

is what helped create avenues for American leaders, such as: George

Washington Carver, Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Malcolm X,

Condoleezza Rice, Oprah Whinfrey, and President Barak Obama.

Influence On The Community Con.

1st Stanza of Lift Every Voice and Sing

Lift every voice and sing,'Til earth and heaven ring,Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;Let our rejoicing riseHigh as the listening skies,Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;  Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,Let us march on 'til victory is won.

WebliographyPhotos: Google Images