In the poem "Lift Every Voice and Sing," James Weldon Johnson conveys the message that freedom is worth the struggle to obtain it while he uses phrases such as "our weary feet" and "gloomy past" to acknowledge the hardships that have been endured. Simultaneously, he also emphasizes the joy of freedom through phrases such as "the rising sun of our new day."
In the poem "Lift Every Voice and Sing," James Weldon Johnson conveys the message that freedom is worth the struggle to obtain it, as he uses phrases such as "our weary feet" and "gloomy past" to acknowledge the hardships that have been endured. Simultaneously, he also emphasizes the joy of freedom through phrases such as "the rising sun of our new day."
Johnson employs contrasting imagery to underscore the dichotomy of struggle and triumph. The mention of "our weary feet" and "gloomy past" reflects the historical struggles and tribulations faced by African Americans, emphasizing the toil and challenges in the pursuit of freedom. The phrase "the rising sun of our new day" counterbalances the preceding hardships by symbolizing the dawn of a brighter future and the joy that accompanies the attainment of freedom.
The conjunction "while" best completes the sentence, as it effectively connects the contrasting ideas presented in the poem. Through this conjunction, Johnson skillfully communicates the dual nature of the African American experience, acknowledging the historical struggles while also celebrating the ultimate triumph of freedom.