Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's "Negro Cemetery Next to a White One" is a satirical commentary on racial segregation, especially as it pertains to death and the afterlife. With a tone that intertwines irony and contemplation, Nemerov critiques the absurdity of racial division, suggesting that such prejudices are as meaningless in death as they are in life.

The poem begins with a provocative assertion, as the speaker imagines a black person not minding being turned away from a "white" cemetery by an angel with a "White only" plaque. The angel’s description as "dark blonde" subtly underscores the irrationality of racial distinctions by highlighting the mixed and varied nature of human appearance. This opening establishes the ironic tone that pervades the poem, questioning the logic and morality behind segregation.

Nemerov's use of irony becomes more pointed as he suggests that waiting for "facilities" in a segregated afterlife might not be objectionable. This trivialization of the deeply unjust practice of segregation highlights its inherent absurdity. The speaker’s nonchalant attitude contrasts sharply with the grave reality of racial discrimination, thus intensifying the critique.

The poet then acknowledges the "natural god-given civil right" for men to segregate, immediately undercutting this acknowledgment by labeling it "odd." This phrase plays on the notion that while legal and civil structures might enforce segregation, these practices defy a higher moral and spiritual truth. The irony here is profound: Nemerov suggests that human-imposed divisions contradict the inherent equality of all souls in the eyes of God.

Nemerov's juxtaposition of "some ghosts are black and some darknesses white" furthers this point. By equating the color of ghosts with the color of darkness, he emphasizes the futility of racial distinctions in the realm of the afterlife. This line challenges the reader to consider the ultimate insignificance of race, suggesting that in death, all superficial differences dissolve into a shared human experience.

The poem's closing lines deliver a powerful critique of the "separate but equal" doctrine, which was used to justify segregation. Nemerov points out the irony in the supposed equality offered by segregated cemeteries. The phrase "making us all, for what that's worth, / Separate but equal where it counts" underscores the hollowness of such promises. In death, the separation imposed by society is revealed to be meaningless, yet the persistence of these divisions highlights the deep-seated nature of racial prejudice.

Structurally, the poem’s use of a sonnet-like form with its rhyme scheme and meter lends a formal elegance that contrasts with the stark and critical content. This contrast further enhances the poem's satirical edge, as the traditional form underscores the absurdity and gravity of the issue being discussed.

"Negro Cemetery Next to a White One" serves as a powerful critique of racial segregation, using irony and satire to expose the absurdity of such practices. Nemerov's deft handling of tone and structure allows him to deliver a poignant message about the ultimate futility of racial distinctions, urging the reader to recognize the fundamental equality of all human beings, both in life and in death.

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