"If We Must Die" is a poem written by Jamaican-American poet and activist Claude McKay in 1919. The poem was inspired by the racial violence and riots that were happening in the United States at the time, particularly the Red Summer of 1919 when there were numerous incidents of white mob violence against Black communities.

In the poem, McKay urges his fellow Black people to resist oppression and stand up against their oppressors, even if it means fighting to the death. The poem conveys a powerful message of defiance, courage, and dignity in the face of adversity.

"If We Must Die" is often considered a rallying cry for Black empowerment and resistance against racism and injustice. It has been widely anthologized and remains a powerful and enduring work in the canon of African American literature.