New York City

1914: left school for New York City
encountered racism
compelled him to write more poetry

1917: wrote two poems for the periodical, Seven Arts
critic, Frank Hattis discovered them
published them in Pearson's Magazine
"To the White Friends"

Few Years Later: met Max Eastman (communist
sympathizer), editor of The Liberator
McKay published more poems in this magazine
including "If We Must Die"