If+We+Must+Die+(Block+12)

This poem was written in response to the Red Summer of 1919, when there were 26 anti-black riots throughout the country.

__Analysis__  "O Kinsmen! We must meet the common foe!" = encouragement and pride. Themes
 * Hogs= blacks
 * Dogs= violent whites
 * If blacks must die, it will no be in a disgraceful way like hunted hogs. (lines1-2)
 * They will not let the violent whites mock them.(lines3-4)
 * Blacks must die nobly and in honor
 * They should not let themselves be killed in "vain" or pleasure of the whites
 * This will cause whites to honor them(lines5-8)
 * Author would rather be killed in kind way than tortured
 * Even though blacks are outnumbered, they will be strong, brave, and fight back(line 10)
 * The blacks should fight for equality(line 10)
 * Stand up and take action
 * He feels the only way not to die unjustly is to fight back.
 * Fighting back creates unity among the blacks.
 * Relates back to gaining general human rights.
 * Equality/Civil Liberty
 * <span style="color: rgb(122, 189, 184);">Obstacles
 * <span style="color: rgb(122, 189, 184);">Black empowerment

__Summary__ <span style="color: rgb(250, 220, 87);"> The poem is saying that the blacks cannot let the whites and other racists brutally hunt and muder them, making them look shameful. They have to die in honor and fight back for their race so that they cannot be in killed in favor of the whites and gain respect of the whites for fighting back strongly, even though there are less of them.They must fight gor equality.

http://www.helium.com/items/802718-poetry-analysis-if-we-must-die-by-claude-mckay