"If We Must Die" is a poem written by the Jamaican-born Black poet and activist Claude McKay in 1919. The poem was a powerful response to the racial violence and injustice faced by African Americans during the early 20th century, particularly the Red Summer of 1919 when there were numerous race riots and lynchings across the United States.

In the poem, McKay calls for resistance and courage in the face of oppression, urging Black people to fight back against their oppressors even if it means facing death. The poem has been seen as a rallying cry for Black empowerment and solidarity in the struggle for civil rights and equality.

"If We Must Die" is considered one of McKay's most famous and influential works, capturing the spirit of defiance and resilience that has been a central theme in Black history and the ongoing struggle for justice and liberation.