The+Color+Sergeant

__Introduction__ Songwriter, poet, novelist, politician, critic, journalist, lawyer and early civil rights activists are all the things that describe [| James Weldon Johnson's] career (Beavers, Herman). Born in Jacksonville, Florida on June 17, 1871 as William Johnson- later changing his name to Weldon Johnson in 1913- he is known best for his writing in poems and novels ( Hansen, Jamie). As a great writer and political speaker, Johnson published great works such as [| God's Trombones: Seven Negro Verses] and 50 Years and Other Poems in 1917. In 1898 he wrote " The Color Sergeant", which is a poem in his book [| 50 Years and Other Poems], due to a bloody battle in the  Spanish-American War. James Weldon Johnson, along with other African-American writers, are the people that make up the [| Harlem Renaissance] and its beauty in the love of art and writing.

[| "The Color Sergeant"] by James Weldon Johnson Alex

Excerpt from: The Color Sergeant ( On an incident at the [| Battle of San Juan Hil][| l] )

Under a burning tropic sun, With comrades around him lying, A trooper of the [| sable Tenth] Lay wounded, bleeding, dying.

First in charge up the fort-crowned hill, His company's [| guidon] bearing, He had rushed where the [| leaden] hail fell fast, Not death nor danger fearing...

[| http://poetry.poetryx.com/poems/15655]



__Analysis__

This poem talks about a black soldier dying in the bloodiest battle of the [| Spanish-American War]. Due to his color, he is despised by other men because of his race and dies, along with other comrades without recognition. Yet, he maintains his head high and is honored to have served his duty in fighting for his country. There's a lesson learned from this. Everyone has to fight for a cause, with or without recognition. To go against all odds is a gamble, but to risk the odds and [| persevere] until the end is a privilege.

__Bibliography__

Beavers, Herman. “ James Weldon Johnson’s Life and Career”. Oxford University Press. 21 Mar 2001. 19 May 2009. < [| http://www.english.illinois.edu/Maps/poets/g_l/johnson/life.htm] >.

Fleming, Robert E.. "Fifty Years and Other Poems". The Literary Encyclopedia. 25 October 2002. 19 May 2009. < [| http://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=5154] >

"God's Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 11 Apr 2009. 19 May 2009 < [| http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=God%27s_Trombones:_Seven_Negro_Sermons_in_Verse&oldid=283137920] >.

Hansen, S. Jamie. “ James Weldon Johnson 1871 – 1938 ”. Department of Rare Books and Special Collections. 22 June 1999. 19 May 2009. < [| http://www.sc.edu/library/spcoll/amlit/johnson/johnson.html] >.

"Harlem Renaissance." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 14 May 2009. 19 May 2009 < [| http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harlem_Renaissance&oldid=289991261] >.

Johnson, James Weldon. “The Color Sergeant.” Poetry X. Ed. Jough Dempsey. 8 Sep 2006. 19 May. 2009 < [| http://poetry.poetryx.com/poems/15655/] >.

Hansen, S. Jamie. “ James Weldon Johnson 1871 – 1938 ”. Department of Rare Books and Special Collections. 22 June 1999. 19 May 2009. < [| http://www.sc.edu/library/spcoll/amlit/johnson/johnson.html] >.

Schubert, N. Frank. “ Buffalo Soldiers at San Juan Hill.” 1998 Conference of Army Historians in Bethesda, Maryland. 19 May 2009. < [| http://www.history.army.mil/documents/spanam/bssjh/shbrt-bssjh.htm] >.

"Spanish–American War." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 18 May 2009. 19 May 2009 < [| http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spanish%E2%80%93American_War&oldid=290788968] >.

"10th Cavalry Regiment (United States)." //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. 20 May 2009. 20 May 2009 <[|http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=10th_Cavalry_Regiment_(United_States)&oldid=291065976]>.