"If We Must Die" is a renowned poem written by Jamaican-American writer and poet, Claude McKay. The poem was first published in the July 1919 issue of The Liberator magazine and is seen as a powerful and defiant call to resistance against oppression and racism.

The poem was composed in the aftermath of the Red Summer of 1919, a period of intense racial violence and unrest in the United States, where numerous African Americans were attacked and lynched by white mobs. Through "If We Must Die," McKay urges his fellow Black Americans to stand up and fight back against their oppressors, even if it means facing death.

The poem's message of resistance and courage in the face of adversity resonated with many Black Americans during the civil rights movement and continues to be a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice. "If We Must Die" remains a significant piece of Black history that captures the strength and resilience of the African American community in the face of systemic racism and oppression.