Black History Month: Langston Hughes
February 22, 2018
One of my favorite writers known for the time he spent during the Harlem Renaissance is Langston Hughes. A man of many trades that include the creation of the literary art form known as jazz poetry. He was a highly educated man with much experience in the publication of his work. While he did spend some time at Columbia University, he left to pursue careers in odd jobs and focus on his words by writing plays and teaching. He often spoke about the importance of art, freedom, and dreams in the American society and taught people, primary blacks, that you should never let go of what you believe in and what you would like to do. And with that being said, “Hold fast to dreams”.
Langston Hughes was a literary master from the Harlem Renaissance. Through his writings and poetry, he captivated a world filled with hate and demise towards African Americans and spoke about the issues he and other blacks faced during the time. However, I believe his messages do not only resonate with the people of that time, but with many African Americans nowadays. I personally, being black myself, have faced a large amount of annoyance when it comes to being treated differently than the other around me who may not be black like me. It comes off as disrespectful or makes me feel like I am being belittled and talked down to. But why? Because of the color of my skin? Don’t let that get you down because adversity is presented in order to make you stronger.
Langston Hughes had a short-lived life from February 1, 1902, to May 22, 1967. He died due to prostate cancer and while his ashes were interred, his message forever lives above ground in all of us. A dream doesn’t get achieved unless you try hard for it and even when no one believes in you, you must believe in yourself to be great.
“I swear to the Lord I still can't see Why Democracy means Everybody but me.”- Langston Hughes
We’ll be in touch.
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