Who, according to A. Phillip Randolph, are the "old crowd?" Who are the "New Negroes?" What are the roles of these two in the present and the future? Which other essayists and writers in this edition support those claims?

What was special about the "Cotton Club?" Compare the Cotton Club to a typical rent party as described by Hughes. What other events and entertainments were popular at this time? Describe the "salon" or literary meeting as detailed by Thurman.

Describe the reasons presented that a Negro artist should pull from his African roots. Describe the argument against this. Which do you believe to be correct?

Compare the character named Skeeter from "Barrel Staves" to the character named Eight-Ball Eddy in Blades of Steel. Compare each of these to the young student named Paul in "Cane." Compare each to Sykes in "Sweat."

Give three examples...