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Letter 10
Christian
Complains about Schuyler
Critique of the State of Black
Letters March
Twenty-sixth 1937
Mr.
George S. Schuyler
2628
Center Avenue
Pittsburgh,
Pa.
Dear
Mr. Schuyler:
I
have been reading with such interest your late articles on the
encouragement of Negro literature. I do not expect to find
that you have ever heard of me or my poetry. I have done quite a
bit of verse for the newspapers and magazines, among which the
CRISIS, THE PITTSBURGH Courier, OPPORTUNITY, and THE LOUISIANA
WEEKLY. I an sending you some of the best examples of my bad
art. Please do not return or publish.
Your
recent statements about 'getting things started' in the COURIER
of March 27, was -- to me -- slightly reminiscent of
the old colored lady who told the street-car conductor, "Doncha
run way frum me--Ah'll pullya back evy time." When she laid
her hands on the car and it stopped suddenly, she thought that
she had stopped it.
By
referring to the files of THE LOUISIANA WEEKLY, of March 26,
1932, you will find that there was a meeting of persons
interested in poetry, at 2500 Palmyra St. Shortly following this
meeting, I was among those who, went to Mr. C.C. Dejoie, the
president, and asked that space be allowed us in his columns.
From that time onward, there has been a POET'S CORNER in the
paper, and from this beginning, some of us have made the better
newspapers and magazines of our race--as well as a few
publications among the whites.
By
referring to the WEEKLY of November 26, 1936, you will find the
announcement of a cash award to be given for the best poem
published in the paper during the first quarter of 1937.
The
judges will be Miss Bower of Gilbert Academy, Prof. Edmonds of
Dillard University, and Prof. Rousseve of Xavier University. For
the award which will be very soon, we are planning a poetry
recital at the home of the editor, Miss Brown, at which Lyle
Saxon has promised to present the award, and at which Dean Bond
has promised to speak. We are also planning a mimeographed
booklet, containing a dozen or so of the best poems, to be
presented to those present.
What
I was thinking was that, it was not so much that you are
'getting things started' as that many of your readers are
'getting you told'. However, such a revelation would not be
necessary if the American Negroes had five magazines like
OPPORTUNITY, and five editors like ELMER ANDERSON CARTER. You
may notice that OPPORTUNITY carried two poems of mine during
1933--BEAUTY AND BEASTS and
CLOWN AND KING--that decried that our poetic currency should
carry on one side the face of a grinning
Negro. In spite of the fact that he went out of his way to
encourage me, I always thought that it was extremely unfortunate
that Langston Hughes went away to Russia before he learned how
to sing A NEW SONG.
I
am at present connected with the Negro History Group at Dillard
University, which is directed by Dean Horace Mann Bond and
Lyle Saxon, State Administrator of the Federal Writers Project.
My assignment is relative to the free people of color in
Louisiana. I'd like to tell you something about the culture of
this free Negro group. Dr. DuBois made mention of a book of
poetry written by them, called LES CENELLES, in 1845. I shall
soon be doing a chapter on Negro literature in Louisiana prior
to Reconstruction, and if possible, may send you a copy.
I
think that one of the best things your column can do is to
encourage poetry and art atmosphere among our entire race, and
the need of a greater cohesiveness between sectional groups.
Being poetry editor of the WEEKLY for only this short time
during the contest has been proof to me that we have many
rhymesters--and also a few decent poets. What I also think is
that someone must throw down the challenge to the educated
man--point out to him that though it is true -- perhaps -- that
'great poets are born', it is also possible to make near-great
poets through a little necessary encouragement.
Please
pardon this letter, Mr. Schuyler, and please forgive the poetry.
I shall do better some day.
Sincerely,
Marcus
Christian
314
S. Rocheblave St.
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