Winter in America?

The Harlem Renaissance, at the time called The New Negro Movement, was a revolutionary era for literature, music, art, and thought in America.  During the 1920s and 1930s, African-American culture flourished as millions began to flee the oppression of the Jim Crow South in hope of a better life in the North and West.



"The Movement" began in neighborhoods like Harlem-New York City and Bronzeville-Chicago. Writers, artists, poets, musicians, and activists began to explore the importance of African-American history/ contributions to America and to challenge racism, stereotypes, lynchings, white paternalistic control, etc. The movement helped to establish an identity of pride and self-determination in the African-American community and influence a generation of future poets, artists, musicians, social activists, etc.

One of those "future poets" (one of my all-time favorites) was Gil Scott-Heron. Gil was heavily influenced by Langston Hughes...

"As far as poetry is concerned, I was introduced to Langston Hughes at an early age because he was one of my grandmother's favorites, so she used to point out his stuff when he appeared in the Black newspapers."

 

Gil Scott-Heron
1949-2011

Here is one of my favorite Gil Scott-Heron poems/ songs ...

"Winter in America"...recorded in 1974. 

 

My interpretation...we need more Spring, Summer, Fall (hopes, dreams, aspirations) and less Winter ("The Jellyfish" of disillusionment, political corruption, war, poverty, injustice, frozen dreams and aspirations, leaders who never had a chance to grow, etc.)

 

"Winter in America" 

From the Indians who welcomed the pilgrims...And to the buffalo who once ruled the plains

Like the vultures circling beneath the dark clouds

Looking for the rain…Looking for the rain

Just like the cities staggered on the coastline...Living in a nation that just can't stand much more

Like the forest buried beneath the highway

Never had a chance to grow…Never had a chance to grow

And now it's winter…Winter in America

Yes and all of the healers have been killed...Or sent away, yeah

But the people know, the people know

It's winter…Winter in America

And ain't nobody fighting ...'Cause nobody knows what to save

Save your soul, Lord knows...From Winter in America

 

The Constitution…A noble piece of paper...With free society…Struggled but it died in vain

And now Democracy is ragtime on the corner

 

Hoping for some rain…Looks like it's hoping...Hoping for some rain

 

And I see the robins…Perched in barren treetops

 

Watching last-ditch racists marching across the floor

But just like the peace sign that vanished in our dreams

Never had a chance to grow…Never had a chance to grow

And now it's winter…It's winter in America

And all of the healers have been killed…Or betrayed

Yeah, but the people know, people know

It's winter, Lord knows…It's winter in America

And ain't nobody fighting…Cause nobody knows what to save

Save your souls…From Winter in America

Listen to Gil sing "Winter in America"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhmQmaoyXlw