American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright (1901-1967). Typed Letter Signed. New York. 1 page, 8vo. Moderate staining touching text at center (but still legible), faint scattered foxing, vertical fold.
$ 3,750 / 3.500 €
(93446)
To "Dear Mr. Cogdon [poet Kirby Congdon?]," expressing no sympathy with objections to Bert Williams in white face or [poet Paul Laurence] Dunbar declining to write English as his mother spoke it, disagreeing with his view that African-American poetry ought not to be anthologized separately from other poetry since race exists as much as does nationality, thanking for his review, and asking where it will be published. "I never understood that jive either about how awful to 'make a poet black and bid him sing,' and Bert Williams wanting to play in white face, and Dunbar not to write in the post Civil War broken English which his mother spoke.
But anyhow, I never felt conscious of color one way or another, but loved always the color of the folks nearest me. So I don't really agree with you that there shouldn't be colored and white (or French or Spanish poetry in anthologies labeled racially or notionally--since race and region and nationality do exist). But I like very much your review, and thank you for sending it to me. Please let me know where it will appear.".