Alain Locke The New Negro Summary

In “The New Negro,” Alain Locke expands on the hope that derived from the Harlem Renaissance, as well as the mass migration of southern blacks to the north and its major cities. In his article he explains how the “New Negro” expresses a new generation of black individuals that are uniting and are furthering the development and advancement of a black person's role in society, stepping away from the stereotypes founded by the oppressors. While the “old negro” may see this movement as a phase, he argues that the old negro remains compliant to the oppressor and disapproves the fact that they continue to appeal to the stereotypes laid onto them through white psychology, which continue the power whites have over blacks. In addition, he digs deep on the necessary change regarding the

psychology of and around black people. For the black audience he encourages them to harbor a spirit that supports a psychology of self understanding, self expression, and spiritual emancipation; which, as a result, will stimulate an activation and strengthening of black leadership to take place.

With this psychology, blacks can now begin to take over their own narrative, positioning themselves as thinkers through forms of art and education.
Locke is a skilled writer and is able to eloquently articulate his argument. His idea regarding the psychology of “The Negro” deserves merit for its freshness and distinctness on the topic of racism and equality alone. His outlook on society for people of color takes a positive and forward thinking approach to motivate black Americans. He cleverly refers to the cruel past as the “medieval America,” and reassures his audience that they must not dwell on the past and its failures because they can apply their energy towards the life that they can and will have. In addition, I appreciate the fact that he acknowledges the changes and achievements of black individuals at this point in time, including migration the black population the south to the north, making it no longer predominantly in the south. I find it noteworthy that he lists reasons for migration such as poor crops, social terrorism, and demands for the war industry as contributing factors for the move, but states that it is not

the most crucial of reasons. Instead, he argues that the main reason was for a hopeful future towards they life the desire and deserve. He states that by moving the masses to the great centers of industry, such as New York, the people have become “transplanted and transformed.” Upon migration, black people of all backgrounds and heritages began to populate areas like Harlem, creating community through unity over race sympathy. It is Harlem where “The Negro Problem” began to be faced, where American born blacks understood that they are not African, but also feel that they are not American because they cannot exercise their full rights like white citizens. Locke states that this coming together was not over the common consciousness of African Americans, but over the common conditions that they have experienced, as well as the double consciousness they all harbor. While white society dehumanized black by viewing blacks as one in the same, Locke makes the important statement that black Americans have problems in common, not life in common. In total, what makes this work so successful is Locke's’ perspective on the psychological aspect of “the negro,” a perspective that needs to radiate from Locke to the rest of society.
While Locke is able to convey his argument though his passionate, positive, and powerfully articulated article, there is one flaw in his argument that strikes a nerve. At one point he admits that the forward thinking negro falls to the left with the liberal radicals, but assures the reader that this is a “forced radical,” because the group is only radical on issues regarding race, otherwise the group is conservative when it comes to other matters. By saying this it seems as though Locke is denouncing other groups and movements that are challenging societal injustices in America. For example, at the same time women groups were also rallying for rights. I think as an advocate for a group fighting for civil rights you would also sympathize with other groups fighting for civil rights that only white American men are privileged to have. In addition, by attacking liberal individuals and movements, it could appear that Locke is falling almost semi- apologetic and compliant to possible white male readers, by attempting to win their support with conservativeness and condemning liberal minded individuals.
In summary, I strongly feel that Alain Locke’s “The New Negro” not only calls on America for change but also boosts morale. He praises the “new negro” for refusing the accept the stereotypes put onto black individuals by white power, while condemning the “old negro” for remaining compliant to this white psychology. He motivates the people by reminding them to not be haunted by the past, but commemorates the ongoing achievements made by black Americans, such as uniting and advancing the role of a black person in society through art and education. His argument for changing the psychology of black people and the psychology around black people positions people of color as thinkers of their own narrative, making Alain Locke not only a thinker, but an extremely forward one at that.