Gobbets Sources 1900-1920s (Q2) Flashcards
Who was James Weldon Johnson?
He was an AA author, poet and social activist
What movement was James Weldon Johnson influential in?
The Harlem Renaissance
What was James Weldon Johnson known for?
His poems, novel, and anthologies collecting poems and spirituals of Black culture
When did James Weldon Johnson publish the Book of American Negro Spirituals ?
1925
Who referenced James Weldon Johnson in their 1938 work?
Benjamin Mays
What was James Weldon Johnson’s affiliation the NAACP?
He was the 1st AA to be chosen for the role of Executive Secretary
When did James Weldon Johnson serve as the NAACP’s Executive Secretary?
From 1920-30
What are some examples of James Weldon Johnson’s anti-lynching activism? (2)
He was involved in a campaign to pass the Federal Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill
He spoke at the 1919 Conference on Lynching
Where did James Weldon Johnson teach?
Fisk University
Why was Fisk University significant?
It was the first AA institution to gain accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1930
Where was James Weldon Johnson born?
Florida
Where was James Weldon Johnson’s mother from?
The Caribbean
When did James Weldon Johnson move to NYC?
During the Great Migration with his brother
What did James Weldon Johnson think about Church involvement in anti-lynching work?
It was imperative
When was the Power of the Negro Church published?
1917
Who wrote the Power of the Negro Church?
James Weldon Johnson
Why does James Weldon Johnson believe the Negro Church is powerful?
It is the only institution over which AAs exercised sole power
What is James Weldon Johnson calling for Black ministries to do?
To recognise the Power of the Black Church and use it accordingly
What does James Weldon Johnson believe the Black Church needs to begin doing and stop doing?
Actually engage in activism, and not just secure funding for aesthetics and beautifying Churches
What according to James Weldon Johnson does the Black Church have the power to do and should be doing?
Form the base of a movement to uplift the race and fight for black rights
Why does James Weldon Johnson say the Black church is relatively more powerful than the White Church?
Because through this one medium, the entire race was reached
What does the Power of the Negro Church being written just before the end of the war mean contextually?
This was a time when the council had to address its impact and many people’s dwindling faith as they felt abandoned by God
What does James Weldon Johnson’s The Power of the Negro Church suggest about the arguments of Savage (2008) and Dorrien (2015)?
That there was a desire in this period for linking the Church and activism but that this was not occurring on any widespread scale - thus proving both Dorrien and Savage are correct in a way
What is James Weldon Johnson’s Autobiography called?
Along This Way
When was James Weldon Johnson’s Along This Way published?
Shortly before his death
What does James Weldon Johnson’s autobiography widely discuss?
His youth, how segregation and JC came to pervade Southern states, descriptions of lynching, Johnson’s activism to bring an end to lynching, and how he was almost lynched
What sort of Bishop was Reverdy C Ransom?
A Methodist Bishop (from 1924)
What was Reverdy C Ransom’s political leaning?
He was a socialist
Which activist groups was Reverdy C Ransom involved in?
Afro-American Council and the Niagara Movement
Where did Reverdy C Ransom’s social activism create problems him?
In African methodist internal politics
Where did Reverdy C Ransom move to from Chicago?
Boston
Where did Reverdy C Ransom move to from Boston?
NYC
Why did Reverdy C Ransom move around so much?
Due to his outspoken views
What was Reverdy C Ransom’s affiliation the NAACP?
He was one of its founders
What did Goddard describe Boston as?
The centre of Northern Black radicalism
What publication was Reverdy C Ransom elected editor of?
AME Church Review
What sort of articles often appeared in AME Church Review?
Articles concerning AA rights
What did Reverdy C Ransom found?
The Institutional Church and Settlement Movement
Which University did Reverdy C Ransom attend?
Wilberforce University
Which church was Wilberforce affiliated with?
The AME Church
What did Reverdy C Ransom resent about Wilberforce?
Its authoritarian atmosphere and conservative ideology
Why did Reverdy C Ransom have to transfer back to Wilberforce from Oberlin College?
He lost his scholarship after challenging racial discrimination at the liberal white institution
Why did Reverdy C Ransom believe AAs experienced hardship?
Because God was strengthening them to be a better instrument to help bring the African race to its rightful position in American society
What did Reverdy C Ransom believe about world resource allocation?
That there was enough to care for all humanity but the distribution of them was wrongly handled
What did Reverdy C Ransom believed AAs and whites had to do?
Work together to build a democratic Christian society
What did Reverdy C Ransom think about back-to-Africa rhetoric?
He questioned it
What did Reverdy C Ransom argue AA Christianity was?
A social force
According to Dorrien, who is more responsible than anyone for bringing social gospel into the mainstream of the AME Church?
Reverdy C Ransom
What does Dorrien say Reverdy C Ransom prefigured?
Everything that came to be called liberation theology
When was the Race Problem in a Christian State given? (Ransom)
1906
What was Ransom’s the Race Problem in a Christian State originally?
An address to a white congregation at Park Street Church in Boston as part of Race Relations Sunday
Why did Ransom leave his previous congregation in Chicago?
Because of his outspoken support and involvement in activist groups
What does Reverdy C Ransom address in the Race Problem in a Christian State?
Continued social equality in America
Why according to Reverdy C Ransom should there be no race problem in a Christian state?
Because it goes against the foundings of Christianity and the spirit of Jesus
What Biblical scripture support’s Reverdy C Ransom’s claims that racism goes against the foundings of Christianity?
Galatians 3:28 - there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus
What does Reverdy C Ransom encourage between men in The Race Problem in a Christian State?
A brotherhood between men that transcends race and economic disparity
What does Reverdy C Ransom say is the fundamental purpose of a Christian state in Race Problem?
To emulate the teachings and character of Christ
According to Reverdy C Ransom, is America living up to the purpose of a Christian state?
No it is failing to do this
What does Reverdy C Ransom needs to be done alongside legislation in a Christian state to address the race problem?
Everyone needs to work to uplift and educate each other
When does Ransom give A plea for the Civil and Political Rights of the Negro?
1911
What is A Plea for the Civil and Political Rights of the Negro?
A speech
What was Ransom selected to give a speech about in A Plea?
Charles Summer
Where is Ransom’s speech in A Plea given?
Park Street Church in Boston
Who sponsored A Plea for the Civil Rights speech?
various committees
What does Reverdy C Ransom say about Charles Summer in A Plea?
That his work on behalf of AAs must be continued until full democracy is achieved
Why does Reverdy C Ransom say that the 15th Amendment is fundamental?
Because Summer foresaw battles needed to be waged in order to continue moving towards AA progress
According to Reverdy C Ransom in A Plea, what have AAs been in historical turning points in America?
Present participants
What does Reverdy C Ransom say AAs need to in A Plea?
Stand firm and not let their present participation in historical turning points be taking from them - voting rights
What does Reverdy C Ransom stress about the right to vote and the ballot in A Plea?
Its importance
According to Reverdy C Ransom, AAs are not the only victims of JC: what else does he say is (6)?
Christianity, human equality, liberty, life, pursuit of happiness and the constitution - unintentionally struck by JC
What according to Reverdy C Ransom in A Plea does the denial of rights, the American Race Problem, do? (6)
Denial of rights warps courts decisions, nullifies constitution, makes Christianity a sham, logic a lie, prevents development and civilisation of South which increases friction bw races
Why is Reverdy C Ransom not asking for immediate equality for AAs in a Plea?
He does not believe they have been free for long enough
What does Reverdy C Ransom ask for instead of immediate equality in A Plea?
Freedom of opportunity to rise to the highest level when the time comes
What does Reverdy C Ransom suggest is a solution to the race question in A Plea?
Separate but equal
Who is Reverdy C Ransom implicitly critical of in A Plea?
Booker T Washington
What/where was Alexander Walters born?
Into slavery in Kentucky
Who was Alexander Walters licensed to preach by?
The AMEZ Church
When was Alexander Walters elected a Bishop in the AMEZ Church?
1892
What did Alexander Walters participate in public debate and action over?
Issues related to Reconstruction and the general welfare of AAs
What Civil Rights organisations was Alexander Walters involved in? (3)
National Afro-American Council
Niagara Movement
National Colored Democratic League
What did Alexander Walters work to improve and secure?
The condition of AAs and full participation in the life of the nation
How was Alexander Walters very prominent in 1916?
He Met President Woodrow Wilson at the White House to discuss how best to obtain the confirmation of AAs nominated for federal office by Wilson
What did Alexander Walters give a paper entitle at the Pan-African Conference in 1900?
The trials and tribulations of the coloured race in America
What did Alexander Walters become President of?
The Pan-African Association
What did Alexander Walters decline the offer of from Wilson?
To become the US minister to Liberia
What offer did Alexander Walters refuse from Du Bois?
To merge the Afro-American Council with the Niagara Movement, the Afro-American Negro Academy and the National Negro American Political League
When did Alexander Walters refuse Du Bois offer?
1908
What was the AA Negro Academy and who was it headed by?
It was the first organisation in the US to support AA academic scholarship and it was headed by Alexander Crummell
Why did Alexander Walters anger many Black followers?
By endorsing Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan in 1908
When Alexander Walters sought a new power base after the Council dissolved, what did he become President of?
The new National Independent Political League
What other organisations was Alexander Walters a member of?
The NAACP and the National Urban League
When was the Chicago Endeavour Convention? (source date)
1915
What is The Chicago Endeavour Convention source concerned with?
The nature of racial prejudice and the steps necessary to end it
What does Alexander Walters say in The Chicago Endeavour Convention is the solution to the race problem and why?
Christianity as when practiced it promotes a sense of the unity of the human race
Why does Alexander Walters say that the Christianity is the world’s hope for harmony and health? (CEC)
Because all forms of redemption come through Christ
Why does Alexander Walters say that there is no biological difference between races warranting poor treatment of some?
Because those of European descent are only superior because of their historical environment, not divine dictate or biological formation, and because irrespective of this it could never justify discrimination or prejudice
What does Alexander Walters say the superiority of people of European descent is? (CEC)
Real but not permanent
What does Alexander Walters say those of European descent are being called by God to do? (CEC)
Play a major role in the ending of oppression and race prejudice
Who is Alexander Walters speaking to/concerned about in Chicago Endeavour Convention and why?
White America and their role in salvation because of their temporary position of superiority
Who’s is Alexander Walters’ argument in CEC similar to?
Henry M Turner
How does Alexander Walters and Henry M Turner’s arguments differ?
Turner saw AAs playing this redeemer role
For Walters, what is the role of AAs in salvation? (CEC)
Africans play teacher by challenging and pushing whites to a greater good
For Walters, what is the role of whites in salvation? (CEC)
The greater good they are pushed to by Africans must entail helping them and other “backward race”s develop and advance
According to Alexander Walters, what happens through whites development of backwards races?
Through their development, they promote equality and removes the temporary superiority white Americans have had
What is Alexander Walters autobiography called and when was it published?
My Life and Work in 1917
What does the extract from Alexander Walters my life and work discuss?
The formation of the National Afro-American Council
What does Alexander Walters say of the formation of the National Afro-American Council?
“It was apparent to all that something must be done by way of organisation if the race was to be saved”
When was a letter of appeal circulated according to Alexander Walters and why?
In the weeks following the murder of an AA postmaster, Frazier B Baker, in South Caroline by an armed mob of whites because it became clear that AAs needed to organise to protect “ourselves”
Who did Walters approach to reinvigorate the earlier League?
Fortune
How many signatures did Walters gather supporting the idea of organising for self-protection?
150
What does Walters say Fortune didn’t believe?
That the masses were “any more ready and willing to organise local and state leagues … than they were in 1890 and 1892”
What was the National Afro-American league designed to do?
Protect AAs vs lynching and racial discrimination
For how long did the National Afro-American League last?
It met in 1890 but had gone defunct by 1893
What did the National Afro-American Council aim to do?
Amelioration of the coloured race
What did the Afro-American Council believe/aim to do about lynching?
It believed it was the worst things AAs were subjected to, and the they Council must be empowered to continue fighting against Lynch law
What did the Afro-American Council think about the convict lease system?
It was slavery to the state, but horrors increased 100 fold
What did the Afro-American Council think about the separate car law?
They were against it
How did the Afro-American Council deal with labour?
Set up a Labour Commission
What does Walters say the schoolhouse was?
The most important agency of progress
What does Walter say the Afro-American Council believed they needed the federal government’s help with?
Schooling as the South was too poor and selfish to teach AA Children
What did Walters say about industry?
It was important
What does Walters say character is?
Crucial
What does Walters say about AAs character in its current form?
He discusses how despite the denigrating effect of slavery whites expected Blacks to be perfect, but this was unachievable in such a short time since emancipation
What did Walters say “character when combined with intelligence” was?
” omnipotent and has slain more giants of prejudice than any other agency under heaven”
According to Walters, who were the poor elements within the race who needed to be banished and how?
By refusing to support immoral ministers, teachers, politicians etc
What did Walters note differences between?
The North and the South