James Weldon Johnson’s “Fifty Years” includes the self-explanatory epigraph, “(1863–1913) On the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.”
Stanza 1 - Stanza 3: “O brothers mine, to-day we stand”
The speaker of Johnson’s “Fifty Years” is celebrating the half-century anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which began the long process of ending slavery and racism in the United States. The speaker addresses those who have suffered under slavery as well as his contemporary “brothers,” many of whom may be descendants of the original slaves.
Johnson’s speaker dramatically proclaims that by signing the Emancipation Proclamation, President Lincoln, in effect, erased the stigma of slavery and elevated the slaves to a level of manhood that they had previously lacked.
The speaker offers a glimpse backward as he refers to those “fifty years” as a “winter’s day.” In terms of the history of an entire race, fifty years is short, but this particular half century has been cold, indeed, for this particular race.
He then reverts the eye back to an even farther time, offering the disturbing image of a slave “naked, shivering,” “[s]natched from their haunts across the seas,” who “[s]tood, wild-eyed, on Virginia’s shore.”
Stanza 4 - Stanza 6: “This land is ours by right of birth”
The speaker then proudly and rightly proclaims “this land is ours by right of birth”; he and his forebears have tilled the land and through their “sweat” have helped turn it into “fruitful soil.”
In place of “the tangled forest,” through their labor now stand “peaceful wood” and cotton and corn fields that yield up useful products for all Americans. The speaker declares that to turn this nature-wild land into a domesticated home, “[o]ur arms have strained, our backs have burned, / Bent bare beneath a ruthless sun.”
Stanza 7 - Stanza 9 : “That Banner which is now the type”
The speaker dramatizes the patriotism of his fellows who have died in wars for America even during those periods that it did not recognize them as equal patriots. He alludes to Crispus Attuck, the first patriot to die in the American Revolutionary War: “Remember, its first crimson stripe / Was dyed by Attucks’ willing blood.”
He emphasizes that Attuck died willingly for his country, not forced as a slave. He celebrates that his race of patriots has always risen to defend their country, even on foreign soil.
Stanza 10 - Stanza 12: “And never yet,—O haughty Land,”
The speaker insists to a land still steeped in racism—he was writing this 1913— that never has “one black, treason-guided hand / Ever against that flag been raised.” Because of the sterling qualities that his African American brothers and sisters have displayed since the beginning of the country’s history, the speaker insists that they do not deserve to “hang [their] heads in shame” or “speak but servile word,” or be timid in claiming their American heritage.
He thus commands his fellows to “stand erect and without fear.” He avers that they have purchased the right to their “sonship here,” and they have offered more than should be asked of anyone.
Stanza 13 - Stanza 15: “And yet, my brothers, well I know”
The speaker does not try to sugar coat the black experience in America; he knows full well the broken spirit, the physical and mental humiliation that his race has suffered. He knows how discouraging such treatment can be. He knows that at times, all they had left was prayer.
Stanza 16 - Stanza 19: “Courage! Look out, beyond, and see”
But this speaker also knows that such mistreatment cannot endure. He demands his listeners to take courage and to look to the future and have “[f]aith in your God-known destiny! / We are a part of some great plan.”
The speaker alludes to William Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Phillips, two ardent abolitionists, asking rhetorically if his fellow sufferers think the “fire lit by their breath” could be extinguished. He asks if his brothers can think that the spirit of John Brown and Elijah Lovejoy is dead. He asks if they think Lincoln’s death was “in vain.”
The speaker offers an affirmation that these great abolitionists and the great emancipator did not struggle and die in vain. He knows that “millions have prayed” for and “tens of thousands have fought” for and “many freely died” so that his race could find equality. Most importantly, he cherishes the abiding faith that, “God cannot let it come to naught.”
Sources
- Bartleby.com, “Fifty Years”
- Gibbsmagazine.com, “A Day in Black History, “ Crispus Attuck.”
- Pbs.org, “Judgment Day,” “William Lloyd Garrison.”
- All Biographies, “Wendell Phillips.”
- Shotgun's Home of the American Civil War, “John Brown.”
- Spartacus Educational, “ Elijah Lovejoy.”
Linda Sue Grimes - As a writer, researcher, and SRF devotee, Linda Sue Grimes has studied poetry and practiced Kriya Yoga for over thirty years..
