Langston Hughes, Prolific Writer of Black Pride During the...

During a time where racism was at its height in America through Jim Crow laws in the South, laws that separated blacks from mainstream white society. Where the notion of â€Å"separate but equal† was widely accepted in America, blacks were faced with adversity that they had to overcome in a race intolerant society. They were forced to face a system that compromised their freedom and rights. Blacks knew that equal was never equal and separate was definitely separate (George 8-9). Blacks had to fight for their rights because it wasn’t handed to them. Racism manifested itself on many levels and had to be fought on many levels. This gave rise to influential black leaders in the fight for civil rights. Langston Hughes was one of those black leaders†¦show more content†¦This excerpt shows how at the time of segregation young black artist were willing to give up their ethnic uniqueness to become assimilated and accepted into the white society. One can understand this act of shedding oneself to be accepted into a society, where if an individual was not the majority they were not counted as equal. So in order to have their work recognized black artist had to hide or want to hide their identity which was their skin color, in order to be acknowledged as equal. Hughes wasn’t afraid to express the truth when he said that this young poet would not be a great poet if he continued to run from his race and not accept who he is. Hughes felt that blacks should be comfortable in their own skin and not have to succumb to the white American standard. Through this manifesto Hughes became a spokesman for young black writers and artists, showing them that they don’t have to be white to be great, although society may believe that. Black is beautiful and we cannot be afraid of our uniqueness. Hughes was able to express his creativity and ideas through different genres of writings. Through his writings he was able to give his people a voice and tell th eir story and history, showing that the black community was part of the American experience. â€Å"The White Ones† and â€Å"The South† are two of Hughes poems that expresses the black experience. In â€Å"The White Ones† Hughes expresses the notion of â€Å"torture†. â€Å"O, white ones why do you torture me?† This lineShow MoreRelated Langston Hughes, Prolific Writer Of Black Pride During The Harlem Renaissance1658 Words   |  7 PagesDuring a time where racism was at its height in America, Jim Crow laws separated blacks from mainstream white society. Where the notion of â€Å"separate but equal† was widely accepted in America, blacks were faced with adversity that they had to overcome in a race intolerant society. They were forced to face a system that compromised their freedom and rights. Blacks knew that equal was never equal and separate was definitely separate (George 8-9). Blacks had to fight for their rights because it wasnâ€℠¢tRead MoreThe Influences for Langston Hughes Successful Writing Career979 Words   |  4 Pagesour history. Langston Hughes was able to recognize that, â€Å"Man had the inability to bridge cultures† (Bloom 16). In one of his writings, Luani of the Jungles, Langston writes about the interactions in a relationship between a white man and a black woman, â€Å"that is not ruined by outside disapproval, but the man’s own obsession and oversimplification of their racial differences† (16). Hughes’s ability to speak openly about his ideas earned him the title of â€Å"the Poet of Laureate of Harlem† (Bailey 748)Read MoreLangston Hughes : Jazz Poetry And Harlem Renaissance1212 Words   |  5 PagesLangston Hughes Jazz Poetry and Harlem Renaissance Langston Hughes was an African American poet who was born on 01 February 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. His parents separated and later divorced during his childhood. 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His ancestry included three major race groups, however, he lived and was identified as a Negro or Colored (Hughes referred to himself as colored or Neg ro, because those were the terms used to refer to African-Americans in this era). He spent mostRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance By Langston Hughes1703 Words   |  7 Pagesis a quote from a well-known poet by the name of Langston Hughes who served as a prominent figure in African American history and is known for maintaining a significant role in one of the most culturally influential periods for African Americans -The Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance describes a significant era in time where hundreds or artists, writers and musicians living in Harlem came together to form a vibrant, creative community. Hughes along with many other talented and innovative African