The Harlem Renaissance and Langston Hughes
The Harlem Renaissance was a period of African-American literature and art flourishing in New York City from 1919 to 1934. During this period the creative output of black Americans began to flourish. Langston Hughes was one of the leading figures and the self-proclaimed ‘voice of the Harlem Renaissance’. He was one of the earliest innovators of the ‘Harlem Renaissance style’. He had a unique way of writing, often blending traditional African-American forms such as jazz and blues with more traditional literature forms. During this period he wrote a number of influential works as a poet, novelist and social activist.
Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri, in 1902. His mother was a school teacher and his father was a storekeeper. His family migrated to Mexico when he was a teenager. He would later attend Columbia University, then the prestigious Lincoln University in Pennsylvania in 1929.
Langston Hughes and His African-American Identity
Langston Hughes was known as a great poet and social activist. He wrote openly and honestly about his African-American identity. Hughes focused on a number of important issues facing the African-American community during the Harlem Renaissance. He wrote about topics such as racial divisions, discrimination, and the segregation of public places. However, he also wrote about topics such as music, love, and relationships. His works were powerful and inspirational in nature, but also had a sense of empathy and understanding for the African-American experience. Throughout his career, Hughes was editor of several literary magazines and served as the unofficial leader of the Harlem Renaissance.
While many African-Americans are nominally Christian, Hughes was known to be a non-believer. This further bolstered his identity as someone outside of the traditional African-American social norms of the time. Despite this, Hughes was an active member of the African-American and multi-racial communities in both the United States and Mexico.
Are Langston Hughes’ Works African-American?
It’s often difficult to categorize an author’s writing, but many believe that Langston Hughes’ works are clearly African-American in nature. His works often touched on topics of racism, discrimination, and social justice, as well as his personal experiences of overcoming adversity as an African-American. His works often dealt with issues of race, power, and identity, rarely speaking from a privileged perspective, but solely from within the African-American experience. His writing often carried a hint of hope and justice, and he often shared stories of courage and resilience amongst African-Americans who were struggling to make a living in an oppressive society.
In addition to his writing focusing on African-American issues, he incorporated African-American speech forms such as the blues, spirituals, and sermons in his works. This gave his writing a unique character and sound that was distinctly African-American.
An Inspiration to African-Americans and Other Marginalized Communities
Langston Hughes’ works have had a great influence on African-American literature and culture. His works allowed African-Americans to express their previously unheard issues and struggles in a powerful way. His works have also been an inspiration to other marginalized groups, including immigrants and Native Americans.
Additionally, his writing style and influence have been hugely influential on African-American culture, especially the jazz and blues genres. He is credited with creating a form called the ‘blues verse’, which combined traditional blues music with intricate and profound poetic images. This form of writing is seen today in many African-American songs.
Conclusion
Is Langston Hughes African-American? The answer is a resounding yes. His works are deeply rooted in the African-American experience, from his African-American speech forms to his activism. His works are both powerful and inspirational, and they have had a profound influence on African-American literature, music, and culture.
