Alice Dunbar Nelson, a prominent figure during the Harlem Renaissance, exemplified resilience and empowerment through her literary works and social activism. A poet, journalist, and political activist, she used her platform to address issues of racial discrimination, women’s rights, and social justice. Dunbar Nelson’s work served as a beacon of hope for the African American community, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity, while also highlighting the need for social change.
Born in New Orleans on this day July 19, 1875, Alice Dunbar Nelson was exposed to racial discrimination from an early age. However, she refused to be defined by these societal constraints. She pursued higher education at a time when it was uncommon for women, let alone African American women, to do so. This determination to break through societal barriers was reflective of her resilient spirit.
Her literary contributions during the Harlem Renaissance were significant. Dunbar Nelson’s poetry depicted the struggles and triumphs of African Americans, creating a vivid tapestry of their experiences. Her works like Violets and Other Tales and The Goodness of St. Rocque and Other Stories encapsulated the essence of the Harlem Renaissance – a cultural movement that sought to redefine the African American identity.
Alice Dunbar Nelson was not just a writer, but a voice of empowerment. She was an active leader in the Suffrage movement, advocating for women’s right to vote. She also championed civil rights for African Americans, using her journalistic prowess to highlight injustices. Her columns in the Washington Eagle and the Pittsburgh Courier played a significant role in shaping public opinion on these issues.
Alice Dunbar Nelson was a woman of great resilience and empowerment. Her life and works continue to inspire generations, reminding us that our voices have the power to effect change. Her unwavering commitment to equality and justice reflects the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance – a movement that continues to resonate in our collective consciousness today.
Sonnet
I had not thought of violets late,
The wild, shy kind that spring beneath your feet
In wistful April days, when lovers mate
And wander through the fields in raptures sweet.
The thought of violets meant florists’ shops,
And bows and pins, and perfumed papers fine;
And garish lights, and mincing little fops
And cabarets and soaps, and deadening wines.
So far from sweet real things my thoughts had strayed,
I had forgot wide fields; and clear brown streams;
The perfect loveliness that God has made,—
Wild violets shy and Heaven-mounting dreams.
And now—unwittingly, you’ve made me dream
Of violets, and my soul’s forgotten gleam.
-Alice Dunbar Nelson, from The Book of American Negro Poetry (1922)
Curated by Jennifer
