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A Litany Of Atlanta by W. E. B. Du Bois
Done at Atlanta, in the Day of Death, 1906.
O Silent God, Thou whose voice afar in mist and mystery
hath left our ears an-hungered in these fearful days—
Hear us, good Lord!
Listen to us, Thy children: our faces dark with doubt
are made a mockery in Thy sanctuary. With uplifted
hands we front Thy heaven, O God, crying:
We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord!
We are not better than our fellows, Lord, we are but
weak and human men. When our devils do deviltry,
curse Thou the doer and the deed: curse them as we curse
them, do to them all and more than ever they have done
to innocence and weakness, to womanhood and home.
Have mercy upon us, miserable sinners!
And yet whose is the deeper guilt? Who made these
devils? Who nursed them in crime and fed them on in-
justice? Who ravished and debauched their mothers and
their grandmothers? Who bought and sold their crime,
and waxed fat and rich on public iniquity?
Thou knowest, good God!
Is this Thy justice, O Father, that guile be easier than
innocence, and the innocent crucified for the guilt of the
untouched guilty?
Justice, O judge of men!
Wherefore do we pray? Is not the God of the fathers
dead? Have not seers seen in Heaven’s halls Thine
hearsed and lifeless form stark amidst the black and rolling
smoke of sin, where all along bow bitter forms of
endless dead?
Awake, Thou that sleepest!
Thou art not dead, but flown afar, up hills of endless
light, thru blazing corridors of suns, where worlds do
swing of good and gentle men, of women strong and
free—far from the cozenage, black hypocrisy and chaste
prostitution of this shameful speck of dust!
Turn again, O Lord, leave us not to perish in our sin!
From lust of body and lust of blood,
Great God, deliver us!
From lust of power and lust of gold,
Great God, deliver us!
From the leagued lying of despot and of brute,
Great God, deliver us!
A city lay in travail, God our Lord, and from her
loins sprang twin Murder and Black Hate. Red was
the midnight; clang, crack and cry of death and fury filled
the air and trembled underneath the stars when church
spires pointed silently to Thee. And all this was to sate
the greed of greedy men who hide behind the veil of
vengeance!
Bend us Thine ear, O Lord!
In the pale, still morning we looked upon the deed.
We stopped our ears and held our leaping hands, but they
—did they not wag their heads and leer and cry with
bloody jaws: Cease from Crime! The word was mockery,
for thus they train a hundred crimes while we do
cure one.
Turn again our captivity, O Lord!
Behold this maimed and broken thing; dear God, it was
an humble black man who toiled and sweat to save a bit
from the pittance paid him. They told him: Work and Rise.
He worked. Did this man sin? Nay, but some
one told how some one said another did—one whom he
had never seen nor known. Yet for that man’s crime this
man lieth maimed and murdered, his wife naked to
shame, his children, to poverty and evil.
Hear us, O Heavenly Father!
Doth not this justice of hell stink in Thy nostrils,
O God? How long shall the mounting flood of innocent
blood roar in Thine ears and pound in our hearts for
vengeance? Pile the pale frenzy of blood-crazed brutes
who do such deeds high on Thine altar, Jehovah Jireh,
and burn it in hell forever and forever!
Forgive us, good Lord; we know not what we say!
Bewildered we are, and passion-tost, mad with the mad-
ness of a mobbed and mocked and murdered people;
straining at the armposts of Thy Throne, we raise our
shackled hands and charge Thee, God, by the bones of
our stolen fathers, by the tears of our dead mothers, by
the very blood of Thy crucified Christ: What meaneth
this? Tell us the Plan; give us the Sign!
Keep not Thou silence, O God!
Sit no longer blind, Lord God, deaf to our prayer
and dumb to our dumb suffering. Surely Thou too art
not white, O Lord, a pale, bloodless, heartless thing?
Ah! Christ of all the Pities!
Forgive the thought! Forgive these wild, blasphemous
words. Thou art still the God of our black fathers, and
in Thy soul’s soul sit some soft darkenings of the evening, some shadowings of the velvet night.
But whisper—speak—call, great God, for Thy silence
is white terror to our hearts! The way, O God, show
us the way and point us the path.
Whither? North is greed and South is blood; within,
the coward, and without, the liar. Whither? To death?
Amen! Welcome dark sleep!
Whither? To life? But not this life, dear God, not
this. Let the cup pass from us, tempt us not beyond
our strength, for there is that clamoring and clawing
within, to whose voice we would not listen, yet shudder
lest we must, and it is red, Ah! God! It is a red and
awful shape.
Selah!
In yonder East trembles a star.
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord!
Thy will, O Lord, be done!
Kyrie Eleison!
Lord, we have done these pleading, wavering words.
We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord!
We bow our heads and hearken soft to the sobbing of
women and little children.
We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord!
Our voices sink in silence and in night.
Hear us, good Lord!
In night, O God of a godless land!
Amen!
In silence, O Silent God.
Selah!
General Introduction
"A Litany of Atlanta" is a powerful poem by W.E.B. Du Bois, written in response to the horrific events of the Atlanta Race Riot of 1906, where white mobs attacked the Black community, resulting in the death of at least 25 Black people and the injury of countless others. Du Bois, a leading intellectual, civil rights activist, and co-founder of the NAACP, was deeply moved by these events and penned this poem as a lamentation and a cry for justice.
Du Bois was a prominent figure during the Harlem Renaissance and the early 20th century, a time marked by intense racial violence and the rise of the Civil Rights Movement. His work often explored the themes of racial identity, social justice, and the struggle for African American rights. "A Litany of Atlanta" stands out as a poignant example of his use of literary art to address the moral and social crises of his time.
Title
The title, "A Litany of Atlanta," is deeply evocative, suggesting a ritualistic or religious prayer, often associated with grief, supplication, or penitence. The use of "Litany" implies a repeated invocation or a prolonged lament, setting the tone for the poem as a solemn, communal expression of mourning and a plea for divine intervention. The mention of "Atlanta" directly ties the poem to the tragic events of the Atlanta Race Riot, grounding the poem in a specific historical and geographical context.
Themes of the Poem
"A Litany of Atlanta" by W.E.B. Du Bois is a poem that explores several profound and interwoven themes, reflecting the complex emotional and social landscape of early 20th-century America. The poem grapples with themes of racial violence and injustice, divine justice, the conflict between faith and doubt, the struggle for African American dignity and humanity, the burden of history and collective memory, and the power of collective grief and lamentation. Below is an elaborate discussion on each of these themes:
1. Racial Violence and Injustice
At the heart of "A Litany of Atlanta" is the theme of racial violence and injustice. The poem was written in response to the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot, a brutal episode of racial violence against African Americans. Du Bois vividly portrays the terror and suffering experienced by the Black community through graphic imagery and emotional appeals. The repeated calls for God to "hear us" underscore the desperation and helplessness of a people subjected to relentless violence. The poem also delves into the systemic nature of this violence, questioning the societal structures that allow such atrocities to occur. The line "Is this Thy justice, O Father, that guile be easier than innocence, and the innocent crucified for the guilt of the untouched guilty?" speaks to the deep injustice where the innocent suffer while the guilty go unpunished. This theme is central to the poem's message, highlighting the need for accountability and justice in the face of racial oppression.
2. Divine Justice and the Silence of God
Another significant theme in the poem is divine justice and the perceived silence of God in the face of human suffering. Du Bois wrestles with the question of why a just and omnipotent God would allow such horrific events to take place. The speaker's repeated invocations of God, such as "O Silent God," express both a plea for intervention and a frustration with divine inaction. The poem raises theological questions about the nature of justice and whether it can be expected from a higher power. The lines "Thou art not dead, but flown afar, up hills of endless light, thru blazing corridors of suns" suggest that God has withdrawn from the world, leaving humanity to grapple with its own evils. This theme reflects the spiritual crisis experienced by many African Americans during this period, as they sought to reconcile their faith with the brutal realities of racism and violence.
3. The Conflict Between Faith and Doubt
The poem also explores the conflict between faith and doubt, a theme closely tied to the theme of divine justice. Throughout the poem, the speaker oscillates between moments of reverence for God and moments of bitter questioning and doubt. This internal struggle is evident in lines like "Wherefore do we pray? Is not the God of the fathers dead?" and "Forgive these wild, blasphemous words." The speaker’s doubt is driven by the overwhelming suffering of the Black community and the apparent absence of divine intervention. Yet, despite these doubts, there remains a lingering hope for divine justice, as seen in the line "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord!" This tension between faith and doubt reflects the broader experience of African Americans who, despite enduring immense suffering, continued to hold onto their faith as a source of strength and hope.
4. The Struggle for African American Dignity and Humanity
Du Bois’s poem also addresses the theme of the struggle for African American dignity and humanity in the face of dehumanization. The speaker emphasizes the humanity of the Black community, portraying them as "humble" and "innocent" victims of unjust violence. The line "Behold this maimed and broken thing; dear God, it was an humble black man who toiled and sweat to save a bit from the pittance paid him" highlights the dignity of the Black man, who despite his efforts to "Work and Rise," is brutally attacked. The poem critiques the systemic racism that denies African Americans their basic human rights and dignity. By framing the poem as a litany, Du Bois elevates the experiences of African Americans to a sacred level, asserting their humanity and worth in the eyes of God and society.
5. The Burden of History and Collective Memory
The theme of the burden of history and collective memory is also prominent in the poem. Du Bois connects the violence of the present to the historical injustices faced by African Americans, such as slavery and racial discrimination. The lines "We raise our shackled hands and charge Thee, God, by the bones of our stolen fathers, by the tears of our dead mothers" invoke the memory of the past, linking the current suffering to a long history of oppression. This theme reflects the ongoing impact of historical traumas on the Black community and the importance of remembering these injustices as a way of seeking justice and healing. Du Bois’s invocation of collective memory serves as a reminder that the struggle for justice is not just about the present but also about addressing the wrongs of the past.
6. The Power of Collective Grief and Lamentation
Finally, the poem explores the theme of collective grief and lamentation. "A Litany of Atlanta" is structured as a communal prayer, with the repeated refrain "We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord!" emphasizing the collective nature of the Black community’s suffering and their shared plea for justice. The poem serves as a form of communal catharsis, allowing the speaker and the community to express their grief, anger, and despair in the face of overwhelming injustice. The liturgical structure of the poem reinforces the idea of collective lamentation, as the community comes together to mourn their losses and seek solace in each other and in their faith. This theme highlights the importance of collective solidarity and the power of shared grief in the struggle for justice and healing.
In "A Litany of Atlanta," W.E.B. Du Bois masterfully weaves together themes of racial violence and injustice, divine justice, the conflict between faith and doubt, the struggle for African American dignity and humanity, the burden of history and collective memory, and the power of collective grief and lamentation. Through these themes, Du Bois not only addresses the specific horrors of the Atlanta Race Riot but also offers a broader commentary on the African American experience in the face of systemic racism and oppression. The poem stands as a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of the Black community, their enduring faith, and their unwavering demand for justice.
Literary Devices
1. Anaphora: The poem employs anaphora, the repetition of phrases at the beginning of successive lines, to create a rhythmic, almost chant-like quality. For instance, "We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord!" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the urgency and desperation of the speaker's pleas.
2. Apostrophe: Du Bois directly addresses God throughout the poem, a literary device known as apostrophe. For example, "O Silent God" and "Hear us, good Lord!" are appeals to a higher power, questioning divine justice and seeking intervention. This device underscores the poem's theme of spiritual and moral questioning.
3. Alliteration: The poem features alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, to enhance its musicality and emotional impact. For example, in the line "mad with the madness of a mobbed and mocked and murdered people," the repetition of the 'm' sound amplifies the intensity of the speaker's emotions.
4. Imagery: Du Bois uses vivid imagery to convey the horrors of racial violence and the suffering of the Black community. Lines like "Red was the midnight; clang, crack and cry of death and fury filled the air" paint a graphic picture of the chaos and bloodshed, evoking a visceral reaction from the reader.
5. Metaphor: The poem is rich with metaphors that deepen its emotional and thematic resonance. For instance, the line "A city lay in travail" compares Atlanta to a woman in labor, giving birth to "twin Murder and Black Hate," personifying the violence and hatred that plagued the city.
6. Rhetorical Questions: The poem is interspersed with rhetorical questions, such as "Is this Thy justice, O Father?" and "Whither? To death?" These questions challenge the reader and God, highlighting the speaker's inner turmoil and the sense of injustice felt by the Black community.
Language and Diction
The language of the poem is formal, solemn, and imbued with religious overtones, reflecting the poem's structure as a litany. Du Bois's choice of words—such as "sanctuary," "mercy," "justice," and "vengeance"—invoke a spiritual dimension, framing the racial violence in Atlanta as not just a social and political crisis but a moral and theological one. The diction is deliberate and forceful, with an undercurrent of righteous anger and despair. Du Bois also employs archaic language, like "Thou," "Thee," and "Thy," which enhances the poem's solemnity and timelessness, making the plea for justice feel both ancient and immediate.
Mood and Tone
The mood of the poem is one of intense sorrow, anger, and despair. The emotional atmosphere is charged with grief for the victims of racial violence and a profound sense of injustice. The tone, on the other hand, is complex, oscillating between reverence, as the speaker addresses God, and bitterness, as the speaker grapples with the apparent silence and inaction of the divine. There is a palpable tension between faith and doubt, hope and despair, as the speaker seeks answers in the face of overwhelming suffering.
Context
"A Litany of Atlanta" was written in the immediate aftermath of the Atlanta Race Riot of 1906, a time when racial tensions in the United States were at a peak. The riot was fueled by false accusations against Black men and a climate of white supremacy, leading to widespread violence against the Black community. Du Bois's poem reflects the collective grief and anger of Black Americans who were constantly subjected to racial terror and systemic injustice. The poem also speaks to the broader historical context of the early 20th century, marked by segregation, lynching, and the struggle for civil rights.
The cultural context of the poem is deeply rooted in the African American experience of oppression and resilience. Du Bois, through his work, sought to awaken the conscience of America to the realities of racial inequality and to advocate for justice and equality. The poem's religious imagery and tone also reflect the centrality of the Black church in the African American community as a source of spiritual strength and a platform for social justice activism.
Conclusion
"A Litany of Atlanta" by W.E.B. Du Bois is a profound expression of grief, anger, and a desperate plea for justice in the face of racial violence. Through its rich use of literary devices, formal language, and evocative imagery, the poem captures the collective trauma of the Black community and challenges both divine and human justice systems. Du Bois's work remains a powerful reminder of the historical struggles for racial equality and the ongoing quest for justice in the face of systemic oppression.
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