Mahogany

One of the genre's that has derived out of African-American literature is oral and written poetry.  Oral poetry may often appear in Christian sermons, gospel music and spirituals.  James Weldon Johnson, an African-American author and journalist, was best known for his novels and poems, as well as his leadership in the N.A.A.C.P.  By the age of 30, James Weldon Johnson had written, Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing, The Book of American Negro Spirituals, and Black Manhattan.  James Weldon Johnson was also a promoter of the Harlem Renaissance and helped promote young upcoming African-American authors.

In regards to my title Mahogany, I would like to share a poem that describes African-American women as well as a link to a gospel song by Fred Hammond that describes this poem and also describes how African-Americans feel about spiritual guidance through Jesus.

These are our mothers and sisters, grandmothers, teachers, and friends..  These are the roots we go back to, where our foundation begins.  How many times they've inspired us, pointing our dreams to the sky! These are the women who gave us wings, and the courage to fly!
Wonderful women of color, daughters of warriors and kings.. What a rich birthright they bring us!  Oh, how their legacy sings!  Sharing the pride of our people, teaching what's right and what's wrong, rising to meet every challenge, keeping our character strong......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBLYdxVe7Gg