If We Must Die By Claude Mckay

Racism was considered to be the norm during the early 1900s. The many horrors that came along with were published frequently by both white and black newspapers. Claude McKay was all too familiar with the situations that came about from this ongoing race war. One of his more well-known poems, “If We Must Die”, was published during the summer of 1919, better known as the “Red Summer”. This name was given for this time period to symbolize the blood of the many people that we killed. This poem expressed what many were unable to speak, but knew they needed to hear. McKay wanted his brethren to rise up and defend themselves against those who attempted to harm them, to keep people from dying for no apparent reason, and for everyone to come together
Whites felt it was a “must” to do what they could in order to strike fear in blacks. “If we must die, let it not be like hogs” speaks of death occurring with people being treated like animals. With the race war that was going on, people were under attack. The speaker encourages them not give in or gives up without a fight. “If we must die” advises the allies that if they are to die, then do so honorably knowing that all that could be done was performed. “Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot” notes that many, with their backs against the wall, are constantly surrounded by “mad and hungry dogs” because of their rage against them. The metaphor from the first line is extended here because they are not yet dead, but death is imminent because of their current
“Though far outnumbered let us show us brave” shows that the black people needed to unify in order to prove there was no fear. McKay identified that unity was one of the best things to do because together they made a difference. The last two lines of the poem repeat another theme of fighting together and facing the common enemy. “We’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack, pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back” speaks of the cowardly enemies whose aim is to murder them with no real reason for their actions. The speaker and his allies are fighting together and even if they do not win, they still fought the good fight. It is commendable, honorable and admirable because they know inside they will not win in the end. Everything in their power was done to at least try to get a victory over the