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Sean Wagner

Mr. Damaso

Honors English II, Period 7

3 May 2010

Dudley Randall

“The Framers of the Bill of Rights did not purport to "create" rights. Rather, they

designed the Bill of Rights to prohibit our Government from infringing rights and

liberties presumed to be preexisting.”

From William J. Brennan, Jr.

"Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better," was an

extremely insightful quote made by Martin Luther King, Jr. while expressing how violence is not

always the answer. People like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X have experienced

discrimination because of their race for almost all their life, having both been active in the civil

rights movements of the 1960’s in the United States. Their work, along with that of many other

civil activists carved a path that led into equal rights for all people regardless of race or color. This

path, however, was formed with skill and non-violent action. Much like Mr. King’s statement that

a creative minority is able to make the world better, African-Americans around the nation during

this controversial period worked without violent means to achieve the victory of equal rights for

their race. The work of these influential leaders is the reason that people took a stand and were able

to gather together to achieve their ultimate goal of getting civil rights.

Among these many civil activists, Dudley Randall stood out as a poet who wrote about

civil rights issues and subtly urged people to stand up and work for their rights. Dudley Randall

grew up in Detroit, Michigan during a period of time when segregation was at the height of its

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popularity which influenced his writing to inspire people to fight for their rights. Randall’s

experience as an African-American throughout this edgy time in American history changed his

writing tremendously because his subject matter became distinctly focused on the advancement of

African Americans throughout the nation. Embedded in his poems “Ballad of Birmingham,”

“Booker T. and W.E.B.” and “On Getting A Natural (for Gwendolyn Brooks),” Randall shows his

underlying theme of ascertaining civil rights for his race. Dudley Randall writes about the struggles

faced by African-Americans during a transitional period in American history and the need to stand

up for their rights.

Randall’s writing about civil rights was influenced by his upbringing as an African

American who watched issues with segregation occur all around him. Randall was born in

Washington in 1914 and soon after moved to Detroit. Growing up in Detroit, Randall watched

many of the events surrounding civil rights unfold before him until these issues reached their peak

during the 60’s. Randall lived in Detroit for a good part of his life including while he was a

librarian, a worker at Ford, and working at the Post Office. It is said that Randall’s work in these

specific fields greatly influenced his writing (“Ballad of Birmingham” par. 1) Randall had been

interested in writing since he was a child, shown because he won $1 in a poetry contest in Detroit

while growing up. Randall received his education and degree from Wayne University. (“Ballad of

Birmingham” par. 2) The places that Randall lived and worked as a youth greatly influenced the

topics that he wrote about much later in life.

Randall’s writing is often said to be simplistic writing so that more people are able to

clearly interpret and understand the meaning of his poetry. Randall generally writes simplistic in

style poems, such as the ballad, (See Appendix A) which have simple rhyme schemes and do not

appear overly complex on the surface. Randall’s writing, however, was much more deep rooted

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than it would appear. His work followed a strict method and style that was unique to him through

his use of different meter such as iambic tetrameter found in “Ballad of Birmingham” (See

Appendix D). “Ballad of Birmingham” was also said to be written out of historical context, like

many of Randall’s poems, but was written simply to “pass the message” along to the readers

(“Ballad of Birmingham” 23). Randall’s poetry was written in a very direct style, which also went

to help to portray the message to readers. (Ampadu 3) Randall’s style of writing that he used to get

his message and meaning that civil rights were needed for African-Americans shows how Randall

was a peaceful intellectual who worked tirelessly to get rights for all people.

Randall’s writing was most prevalent during the period of the 1960’s, when the civil rights

movement was at the forefront of everyone’s mind and interests. Randall’s poem “Ballad of

Birmingham” is directly related to the 1963 bombing of a Baptist Church in Birmingham,

Alabama. (“Ballad of Birmingham” 17) This direct relation between Randall’s writing and current

events of the time show how the civil rights movements and the problems surrounding it were the

central focus of Randall’s writing. Randall’s use of imagery throughout the poem is meant to gain

interest and sympathy from the reader in an attempt to help the movements of that era. Randall’s

other poem, “On Getting a Natural (for Gwendolyn Brooks)” is based on the female Gwendolyn

Brooks, who was an African-American and was also greatly involved in getting civil rights for all

African Americans. These recurring references to current events of the time that show his

preoccupation with civil rights for all help to show how Randall used the subject matter of his

poetry to help gain support for these movements towards justice.

Dudley Randall’s use of common underlying themes and universal messages throughout

his poetry involving the need for civil rights for all people is shown in the poems “Ballad of

Birmingham,” “Booker T. and W.E.B.” and “On Getting A Natural (for Gwendolyn Brooks).” The

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hard experiences that Randall had to endure influenced his writing and gave him a unique style and

voice that focuses on civil rights issues. In the poem “Ballad of Birmingham,” Randall clearly

shows relations between the story in his poem and that of the 1963 bombing of a Baptist Church in

Alabama. This influence by current evens shows how his environment and life experiences greatly

altered the overall style and message of his poetry. (See Appendix A)He had a focus on getting

support for his cause, which was equality of all races. (“Ballad of Birmingham” 22) In conclusion,

Dudley Randall clearly shows his unique style and message in his poetry which was changed and

altered by the world around him and the experiences he had.

“Ballad of Birmingham,” a poem by Randall about a bombing in 1963, “Booker T. and

W.E.B.” and “On Getting A Natural (for Gwendolyn Brooks)” are clear examples of writing by

Randall concerning civil rights issues. The 1963 bombing of a Baptist Church in Alabama killed

four young girl which greatly angered the entire African-American community. The tensions

between the races had grown to an incredible extent, and people were upset at the lack of rights

they were being given (“Ballad of Birmingham” 17). People like Randall worked to settle these

tensions not through fighting, but through creativity and intelligence. Randall’s distinct style and

common theme embedded in these three poems shows how he worked tirelessly to encourage

people to believe that their race was equal to everyone else and that their rights were worth fighting

for. His unique viewpoint in “Ballad of Birmingham” (See Appendix A) “evokes sympathy” from

the reader and encourages them to want to stand up for their rights (“Ballad of Birmingham” 23).

In conclusion, Dudley Randall used his common message throughout his poetry to convince and

encourage people that they were equal to all other people and that their rights were worth fighting

for.

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“Ballad of Birmingham” is a poem by Dudley Randall that clearly illustrates the underlying

theme of much of his poetry which is that all people are created equal and they must give equal

rights to all. “But baby, where are you?” (See Appendix A) is the final line stated by the mother in

“Ballad of Birmingham” which is stated to evoke sympathy from the reader. Randall writes in a

simple style so that he is able to get more attention from more people, and gets them to believe in

his cause. Like the statement by Mr. King, Randall was a “creative dedicated minority,” who

fought tirelessly to attempt to get people to join his cause. The irony in the poem that the little girl

was not able to go to a freedom march and then was killed at church shows how Randall used his

creative license to gain attention and concern from the reader (“Ballad of Birmingham” 23).

Randall’s obvious use of sympathy and ability to interest the reader gives him the ability to

convince them of his cause and desires, which he uses to promote the equality of man and civil

rights for all.

The same theme of civil rights for all can be seen also throughout the poem “Booker T. and

W.E.B.” which is another famous poem of Randall’s that inspired many people to believe in the

strength of their race. “I don’t Agree, said W.E.B.” was the final line of the poem that sums up how

W.E.B. would not surrender and truly believes that Blacks should always be treated equally to

whites. Randall’s passion for his cause is clearly shown through this poem and his underlying

theme is clearly evident throughout. Much like “Ballad of Birmingham,” the common theme found

in “Booker T. and W.E.B.” has the same underlying message, passion, and stylistic form of

writing. The simple tone and way that Randall addresses his audience helps to bring people into

his poetry even if they have not had very much education and are not able to interpret the poetry in

a complex way. Randall is able to write on varying levels, with very complex underlying themes,

yet having simple style on the front end of the poem (“Ballad of Birmingham” 21). In conclusion,

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Randall’s common underlying theme is found throughout much of his poetry, and can be seen in

his passion for the cause of civil rights.

Akin to the message of “Ballad of Birmingham” and “Booker T. and W.E.B.” Randall’s

poem “On Getting A Natural (for Gwendolyn Brooks)” is another great example his poetic theme

that supports civil rights for all people. “I’m black AND Beautiful,” was the concluding line of the

poem “On Getting A Natural (for Gwendolyn Brooks)” (See Appendix C). This line clearly

expresses how blacks were commonly considered less important or worthy than other races

(“Ballad of Birmingham” 17). Because of their insecurity of being inferior, this poem was written

to encourage people to feel that they are just as important and good as all the other races and that

their rights should be equal to those of other races. The underlying theme that is woven throughout

Randall’s poetry is clearly seen by the bold and outspoken concluding line of this poem. The

passion and anger can be felt throughout the poem because the girl feels less important, but finally

realizes her worth at the conclusion of the poem. The simple style and clear message is a staple of

Randall’s writing. In conclusion, Randall’s message is clearly seen in “On Getting A Natural (for

Gwendolyn Brooks)” about how blacks should be treated equally and deserve the same exact rights

as every other person.

Randall’s poetry themes can also been seen in art throughout the ages such as in the

photograph of Malcolm X by Gordon Parks in 1963 (See Appendix F). This photo shows Malcolm

X directly addressing a crowd during a civil rights rally, which are the very events that helped to

inspire Dudley Randall. Randall’s second book of poetry, For Malcolm, was written for Malcolm

X in honor of him because of the work he did to help African Americans in this time. Gordon

Parks worked to photograph many different aspects of the civil rights movement throughout the

1960’s and this photo portrays the themes that can be found throughout Randall’s poetry. In

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conclusion, Randall’s poetic themes can be seen in the artistic images taken by Gordon Parks that

represent this era.

This particular image, showing Malcolm X addressing a Black Muslim Rally, portrays the

emotion that was behind these people as they fought for their rights. The passion seen in this image

is the same as that which can be found in Randall’s poetry. Park’s work clearly shows the

problems with segregation of the time, and plainly attempted to inform people about the dire need

to change the situation that they were currently in (Gunton 1). This clear representation of the

situation was the same type of style and message that Dudley Randall used in his poetry, which

shows the connection between these two pieces of art. Their central theme also ties back into the

fight for African American rights during the 1960’s and how Randall’s writing was constantly

focused on getting these rights. In conclusion, Randall and Parks both portrayed the need for civil

rights for all people through their art.

Simple Plan, a modern day punk band, has been together for several years and writes what

most consider to be simplistic yet appealing songs. Their songs have been ranked on top charts and

many are loved by teenagers of our era. One song in particular, “Welcome to my Life,” was

written about the problems that were being faced by the person in the song and the feelings that

they were encountering. They had the feeling of always being left out and “like no one understands

you” (See Appendix G). These feelings describe similar emotions to what Dudley Randall was

going through as an African-American when nobody seemed to be on their side. Blacks across the

nation had to fight an uphill battle with everyone else in the country in order to get civil rights for

themselves, which is much like what they lyrics of this song address. “Welcome to My Life” is a

song about being a lonely person or the odd one out, which can be related to the feelings and

emotions being faced by Dudley Randall during his period of writing in the 60’s.

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African Americans across the nation had lost the respect of other races, especially whites,

during the period of the 1960’s. This loss of respect and stripping of unalienable rights caused

them to rise up and to fight for their rights as people inside our nation. (“Ballad of Birmingham”

17) In the song “Welcome to My Life” by Simple Plan, it is easy to identify similar emotions

portrayed in the lyrics to that of what Dudley Randall may have felt in this time. “To be kicked,

when you’re down, to feel like you’ve been pushed around,” shows the emotions that Randall most

likely had while being discriminated against in a transitional period in American History. These

feelings are clearly expressed by Simple Plan, and the simplistic writing of the song clearly sends

the message of how they really felt in this time. In conclusion, Simple Plan’s song “Welcome to

My Life” clearly portrays the feelings and emotions that faced Randall everyday as a writer in the

1960’s.

Dudley Randall was an American Poet who wrote in a controversial and transitional period

of American history that caused him to write about the need for civil rights for African Americans

across the nation. Dudley Randall writes about the struggles faced by African-Americans during a

transitional period in American history and the need to stand up for their rights. Randall’s writing

gives a clear message that no race should ever be singled out or discriminated against, and that all

life is truly created equal. His work, along with many others of the 1960’s, proved to be very

beneficial to not only African-Americans, but to all minorities across the nation for the last 50

years. Randall’s work must be taken as a lesson about the ability to stand up for rights that are

unalienable, and the ability to grow as people to accept all people as equals.

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Appendix A

“Ballad of Birmingham” by Dudley Randall, 1966

“Mother dear, may I go downtown Instead of out to play, And march the streets of Birmingham In a Freedom March today?”

“No, baby, no, you may not go, 5

For the dogs are fierce and wild, And clubs and hoses, guns and jails Aren't good for a little child.”

“But, mother, I won't be alone.Other children will go with me, 10 And march the streets of Birmingham To make our country free.”

“No baby, no, you may not goFor I fear those guns will fire. But you may go to church instead 15

And sing in the children's choir.”

She has combed and brushed her night-dark hair, And bathed rose petal sweet, And drawn white gloves on her small brown hands,And white shoes on her feet. 20

The mother smiled to know that her child Was in the sacred place, But that smile was the last smile To come upon her face.

For when she heard the explosion, 25 Her eyes grew wet and wild. She raced through the streets of Birmingham Calling for her child.

She clawed through bits of glass and brick,Then lifted out a shoe. 30

"O, here's the shoe my baby wore, But, baby, where are you?”

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Appendix B

“Booker T. and W.E.B.” by Dudley Randall, 1966

"It seems to me," said Booker T., "It shows a mighty lot of cheek To study chemistry and Greek When Mister Charlie needs a hand To hoe the cotton on his land, 5

And when Miss Ann looks for a cook, Why stick your nose inside a book?" "I don't agree," said W.E.B., "If I should have the drive to seek Knowledge of chemistry or Greek, 10 I'll do it. Charles and Miss can look Another place for hand or cook. Some men rejoice in skill of hand, And some in cultivating land, But there are others who maintain 15

The right to cultivate the brain." "It seems to me," said Booker T., "That all you folks have missed the boat Who shout about the right to vote, And spend vain days and sleepless 20

nights In uproar over civil rights. Just keep your mouths shut, do not grouse, But work, and save, and buy a house." "I don't agree," said W.E.B., "For what can property avail 25

If dignity and justice fail. Unless you help to make the laws, They'll steal your house with trumped-up clause. A rope's as tight, a fire as hot, 30

No matter how much cash you've got. Speak soft, and try your little plan, But as for me, I'll be a man." "It seems to me," said Booker T. --

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"I don't agree," Said W.E.B. 36

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Appendix C“On Getting A Natural (for Gwendolyn Brooks)” by Dudley Randall, 196

She didn't know she was beautiful,though her smiles were dawn,her voice was bells,and her skin deep velvet Night.

She didn't know she was beautiful, 5

although her deeds,kind, generous, unobtrusive,gave hope to some,and help to others,and inspiration to us all. And 10

beauty is as beauty does,they say.

Then one day there blossomeda crown upon her head,bushy, bouffant, real Afro-down, 15

Queen Nefertiti again.And now her regal woolly crowndeclares,I knowI'm black 20

AND beautiful.

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Appendix D

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Appendix E

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Appendix F

Malcolm X Addressing Black Muslim Rally in Chicago, Gordon Parks,1963

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Appendix G

“Welcome to My Life” by Simple Plan, 2004

“Do you ever feel like breaking down?Do you ever feel out of place?Like somehow you just don't belongAnd no one understands youDo you ever wanna runaway?Do you lock yourself in your room?With the radio on turned up so loud That no one hears you screaming

No you don't know what it's likeWhen nothing feels all rightYou don't know what it's likeTo be like me

To be hurtTo feel lostTo be left out in the darkTo be kicked when you're downTo feel like you've been pushed aroundTo be on the edge of breaking downAnd no one's there to save you No you don't know what it's likeWelcome to my life

Do you wanna be somebody else?Are you sick of feeling so left out?Are you desperate to find something more?Before your life is overAre you stuck inside a world you hate?Are you sick of everyone around?With their big fake smiles and stupid liesWhile deep inside you're bleeding

No you don't know what it's likeWhen nothing feels all rightYou don't know what it's likeTo be like me

To be hurtTo feel lostTo be left out in the darkTo be kicked when you're down

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To feel like you've been pushed aroundTo be on the edge of breaking downAnd no one's there to save you No you don't know what it's likeWelcome to my life

No one ever lied straight to your faceNo one ever stabbed you in the backYou might think I'm happy but I'm not gonna be okayEverybody always gave you what you wantedNever had to work it was always thereYou don't know what it's like, what it's like

To be hurtTo feel lostTo be left out in the darkTo be kicked when you're downTo feel like you've been pushed aroundTo be on the edge of breaking downAnd no one's there to save you No you don't know what it's like (what it's like)

To be hurtTo feel lostTo be left out in the darkTo be kicked when you're downTo feel like you've been pushed aroundTo be on the edge of breaking downAnd no one's there to save you No you don't know what it's likeWelcome to my lifeWelcome to my lifeWelcome to my life”

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Appendix H"Ballad of Birmingham"

by Dudley Randall

"Mother dear, may I go downtown Instead of out to play, And march the streets of Birmingham In a Freedom March today?"

"No, baby, no, you may not go, For the dogs are fierce and wild, And clubs and hoses, guns and jails Aren't good for a little child."

"But, mother, I won't be alone. Other children will go with me, And march the streets of Birmingham To make our country free."

"No baby, no, you may not goFor I fear those guns will fire.But you may go to church instead And sing in the children's choir."

She has combed and brushed her night-dark hair, And bathed rose petal sweet, And drawn white gloves on her small brown hands, And white shoes on her feet.

The mother smiled to know that her child Was in the sacred place, But that smile was the last smile To come upon her face.

For when she heard the explosion, Her eyes grew wet and wild. She raced through the streets of Birmingham Calling for her child.

She clawed through bits of glass and brick,Then lifted out a shoe. "O, here's the shoe my baby wore, But, baby, where are you?"

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"Not a Racist"

by Sean Wagner

After Dudley Randall

Segregation may have disappeared,that horrible past is gone,but that mental block between the racescan never be withdrawn.

People always look at you differentwhenever you walk in the room,but you know deep down inside you knowwhat they all naturally assume.

They see you walking down the streetand cross to the other side,they make your feeling of being humanbegin to subside.

"I'm not a racist!" they shout at youand then they turn away,but deep inside their mindsthey are in dismay.

"I can't be a racist,that could never be me."No matter how much you tell them,they always disagree.

So in the end you should just give up,don't bother to let them know,That they way they act around a blackshows racism from head to toe.

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Works Cited

"Ballad of Birmingham." Poetry for Students. Ed. Mary K. Ruby. Vol. 5. Detroit: Gale Group, 1999. 17.

Poetry for Students. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. <http://go.galegroup.com>.

"Dudley Randall." Contemporary Literary Criticism Select. Detroit: Gale, 208. Literature Resource Center.

Web. 25 Mar. 2010. <http://go.galegroup.com>.

"Ballad of Birmingham." Poetry for Students. Ed. Mary K. Ruby. Vol. 5. Detroit: Gale Group, 1999.

"Civil Rights in the 1960s." The African American Almanac. Ed. Brigham Narins. 10th ed. Detroit:Gale,

2008. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. <http://find.galegroup.com>.

"Ballad of Birmingham." Poetry for Students. Ed. Mary K. Ruby. Vol. 5. Detroit: Gale Group, 1999.

24-27. Poetry for Students. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. <http://go.galegroup.com>.

"Ballad of Birmingham." Poetry for Students. Ed. Mary K. Ruby. Vol. 5. Detroit: Gale Group, 1999. 28-

29. Poetry for Students. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. <http://go.galegroup.com>.

Randall, Dudley, and Lena Ampadu. "The Message Is in the Melody: An Interview with Dudley Randall."

Callaloo 22.2 (Spring 1999): 438-445. Rpt. in Poetry Criticism. Vol. 86. Detroit: Gale,

2008. Literature Resource Center. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. <http://go.galegroup.com>.

Thompson, Julius E. "Dudley Randall, Black Life and Culture in Detroit, 1900-1959." Dudley Randall,

Broadside Press, and the Black Arts Movement in Detroit, 1960-1995. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland,

1999. 5-19. Rpt. in Poetry Criticism. Vol. 86. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Literature Resource Center.

Web. 25 Mar. 2010. <http://go.galegroup.com>.

Boyd, Melba Joyce. "'Roses and Revolutions' Dudley Randall: Poet, Publisher, Critic and Champion of

African-American Literature Leaves a Legacy of Immeasurable Value." Black Scholar 31. (Spring

2001): 55-57. Rpt. in Poetry Criticism. Vol. 86. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Literature Resource Center.

Web. 25 Mar. 2010. <http://go.galegroup.com>.

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"Parks, Gordon (Vol. 16) - Introduction." Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Sharon R. Gunton. Vol.

16. Gale Cengage, 1981. eNotes.com. 2006. 21 Apr, 2010 http://www.enotes.com

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The transitions were very well executed and worded well; nice idea putting them in the beginning of the

paragraph they were transitioning into. You have a lot of solid data and do a nice job at backing it

up; your appendixes are listed enough where it would be easy to find what you’re talking about. I

don’t believe I saw the word ‘is’ often, which is good.

You used the words ‘in conclusion’ very often to conclude each paragraph. Also, your in-text references

need to be moved inside of the sentence which contains the info being cited. The main thing,

however, is that I did not see much backup of who your critics were, and at times it was even

unclear where the criticism was for a particular poem or art piece.

Well done, this has a lot of potential.

LACKING:

i. Particular themes he/she focused on

ii. Personal and family experiences that influenced his/her writing generally