To New York; the Struggle for Equality “New York! I say New York . . . deep negro sleep” (Senghor 685). Léopold Sédar Senghor was a famous poet most widely known for his work in the 1940s and 1950s. He wanted to inspire pride in the culture of Africa and wrote extensively about the interactions and conflicts between Africa and the West. One of his more famous poems, To New York, was written in 1956 and portrays the racial differences in the United States, specifically New York. The 50s were a critical time in the civil rights movement in the United States. In this section, from the poem To New York, Léopold Sédar Senghor talks about a sense of renewal. By bringing in the old Africa, it would make New York more pure and restore the unity …show more content…
The next line also holds a strong metaphor that is crucial to Senghor’s message, “Let it wash the rust from your steel joints, like an oil of life” (685), He feels that New York is falling apart (rusty) and that by bringing more of the ways of Africa to the city it would greatly benefit it. He refers to the blood as the, “Oil of Life” that can lubricate the rust (the racial dissent) which would make things smoother between the races. By allowing the blood to flow together into one it would wash away the rust of the steel joints. This describes the rust as the views towards blacks. By joining their blood into one and accepting them into society it would wash away the rust and the discrimination and allow for the joint to operate freely and smoothly once again. The joint can be seen as society as a whole and when there is racial discrimination it does not operate properly and smoothly. When the rust is washed away it allows society to work better as a whole and more smoothly, which is exactly what Senghor is asking of people of this world. Also by describing this as the “Oil of life” it demonstrates that equality provides smoothness in the joints of society and promotes fairness and equality. Further into the last part of the poem, it reveals an elaborate metaphor where Senghor references his Christianity and the symbol of Jesus’ suffering on the cross, “The reconciliation of Lion
Equality is something Americans strive to provide and maintain. It has become an integral and necessary part of our mosaic culture. Even now to the point that when people think of America, they naturally think of freedom and equality. People of many different races, disabilities and creeds have come to the United States seeking the impartiality upon which this country was founded. The institutions of this country have relied upon it, just as it was the created by the events in the laying of moral foundations. The expression of America's citizens plays an extremely significant role in the history of equality in American society. In the pursuit of equality and the "American Dream," people have authored inspiring
In conclusion, the poem was used as a key to unlock some of the thoughts the negro had concerning Africa. The negro in this poem was a representative of all negroes during this time; their thoughts and the their feelings toward Africa. Cullen’s usage of the literary devices allow for an effective expression of the meaning of this poem. Poems are intensified language of experience, so the devices assured the connection of the reader to the poem and the experience. This applies to many issues in society today because as beautiful as our country is there are still dark clouds that cover the very essence of what the states once stood
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is the “largest public housing authority in the nation” (Developments, 2015). In existence since 1934 (About NYCHA: NYCHA at 70, 2015), NYCHA is a low to moderate income public housing initiative consisting of 328 developments throughout all five boroughs of New York City. More than 400,000 residents benefit from these developments through the receipt of not only apartments but additional services provided by each development and New York City overall. Over recent years the NYCHA developments have been experiencing a reduction in government funding, forcing the organization to re-evaluate strategies addressing maintenance of old buildings (About NYCHA, 2015).
In the film “New York, New York: Power and the People”, the filmmaker Ric Burns tells the story of the changed that had occurred in New York. According to Ric Burns, over 10 million immigrants came into New York and big changes stared to happened. For example, when the immigrant arrived to New York the emerge of skyscraper began and immigrant were the main constructers of those tall buildings. Of course, with the help of the new arrival technology, steal and electric elevator made the construction of this buildings possible. Also, another big change that occurred because of the arrival of the immigrants was the consolidation of the City. Since people where leaving in crowds they decided to spread, however, most of the jobs were in the Lower
The image of Jesus nailed to a wooden cross by the palms of his hands and with a crown of thorns wrapped around his head is one that has transcended all time barriers. It has inclusive been replicated into figure form that is utilized in various ways but whose primary function is to serve as a constant reminder of the physical suffering endured by Jesus. In The Dream of the Rood however, the perception of Jesus Christ as not only the son of God and savior of mankind but also as a human with the capacity to feel pain, is subverted when through the perspective of a personified cross he is conveyed as a warrior in the midst of combat. The portrayal of Jesus in this way immediately evokes the image of an ideal stereotypical hero who is strong,
New York City is the largest and one of the oldest cities in the United States, having been 'rediscovered' by Henry Hudson in 1609 while working for the Dutch East Indies Company. New Amsterdam, as it was then known, was settled in 1614 by Dutch fur traders and became the most important port in America. (Reed, 2011) The two rivers flowing on each side of Manhattan grant easy access to the ocean, and Henry Hudson remarked that the harbor was the best natural harbor he had ever seen in the world. For hundreds of years the city has been at the epicenter of world trade, and immigration to the new world. Millions of immigrants have filled the streets of New York, from Europe, Africa, South America, Asia, and elsewhere.
The New York Conspiracy Trials happened in New York during the year 1741. Before this year, countless other slave revolts occurred that made the New Yorkers anxious and nervous for an uprising. During the particularly cold winter of 1741, many whites were afraid that slave revolts would happen again. On top of that, New York had helped Britain against Spain. Countless of these worried folks thought that the slaves (along with some poor whites) and the Spanish were going to work together to overthrow New York. The conspiracy trials proved that all New Yorkers understood the hierarchies of status, race, and gender, even when they imagined overturning some of them.
In analysis of this poem, we find the symbolic association the Little Lamb and Jesus Crist, The Lamb of God.
My minor insight is New York City as the financial capital of the world. New York’s thriving economy is one of the main reasons that it is a global metropolis. Not only is NYC an economic capital, but it is also a cultural capital of both the United States, and the world. NYC is made up of millions of immigrants (about 36% of the total population) who have been able to assimilate into the American lifestyle, and act as a resource for the growth of our economy. NYC’s diversity has benefited our city by producing talented, hard-working citizens, which can provide an example for many other cities around the globe. New York’s cultural identity has helped shape our city, by allowing
Since the start of the United State the way in which a particular crime is seen has
This story uses metaphor to mention lots Christian symbols and the different actions between religion-religious people and non-religious people.
Race plays a big part in this poem. He speaks on Harlem and its culture and this environment but also about mutual interest with people
New York City is made up of five boroughs, which include the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Within these boroughs, there are high and low-income neighborhoods that contain either high or low status organizational structures or facilities. Each division has their own characteristics and top attractions, such as the Empire State building, Central Park, or Times Square. As New York City may be known for great food and fun attractions, New York faces infrastructure problems within each borough. New York City’s infrastructure funding is limited in lower income neighborhoods, where money needed to upkeep the city goes toward prime tourist’s areas or residents living in high status neighborhoods, such as The Upper East Side of Manhattan, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, and Lenox Hill, Manhattan. Moreover, abandoned buildings, poor sewage conditions, and rocky roads and streets are examples of low-income area infrastructure problems that may hinder neighborhood growth both structurally and economically. Harlem, East Brooklyn, and South Bronx are low-income parts of New York that lack new and refined facilities, roads, plumbing, and fundamental structures, which contribute to high crime and arrests.
Every time I hear this song it makes me long to leave all of my responsibilities and head off to the city of dreams. A trip to New York has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I have always wanted to visit the place of tall buildings, history, and where culture is intertwined with its people. I have wanted to live the fast pace life of a New Yorker, where I could stand outside and see, smell, and taste all of the experiences that this city has to offer. I have been building and building this ideal image in my mind for so long. If I ever get to New York, will I be disappointed by the city that never sleeps? The city that is a part of almost every movie I watch. Can New York live up to the expectations I have
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement and the enlightenment of black minds as a whole. This movement sparked the minds of many leaders such as Marcus Garvey, W.E.B Dubois, and Langston Hughes, these men would also come to be known as the earliest Civil Rights activists. While Garvey and Dubois expressed their views in speeches and rallies Hughes had a different approach and chose to articulate his thoughts and views through literature more specifically poetry. Through his poetry, Hughes became a world renown poet for such works as “Let America Be America Again”, “Harlem” and “I Too” taken from his first book “The Weary Blues.” These poems while written and inspired by the everyday struggles of being an African-American were arguably targeted at white Americans. Hughes wrote a majority of his work during the Harlem Renaissance and as a result focused on “injustice” and “change” in the hopes that society would recognize their mistake and reconcile, but in order for this to happen he would have to target the right audience.