Is Langston Hughes Black?
Langston Hughes is one of the most beloved African-American writers of the twentieth century. His works are renowned for their universality and their experience of African-American culture, but the question of just exactly what his race was and is has always been a source of debate. Was he, in fact, African-American and therefore black, or was he ‘Passing’ as a white person?
It is an undeniable fact that Langston Hughes was both born and raised in Missouri, a state historically known for its racial tensions. He was the son of an African-American father and an English-American mother. While both parents are well-known for their parenting of their famous son, the mere fact that he was half-English has cast a shadow of doubt on his racial identity.
Despite his English heritage, Hughes did not grow up in an entirely white world. His father ran a hotel in Kansas filled with African-American customers and a variety of cultural experiences. He attended an African-American school and was influenced by the strong black community in his neighborhood in Missouri. Furthermore, he even spoke out against racial injustice in the South and was an active member of the NAACP throughout his life. It could be argued that these experiences pushed him towards a more empowered and accepting view of being black.
Hughes often wrote in the unique style of a black voice, making use of familiar rhythms, idioms and dialects that were indicative of African-American culture during the early- and mid-twentieth century. He would often include references to traditional African-American music, folklore and art. This is in stark contrast to some of the other African-American writing of the period which often took a more white-oriented approach.
Experts have long speculated about Hughes’ race, but there are no concrete answers. In his own writings, Hughes generally did not discuss the topic in depth. He occasionally referred to himself as ‘black’ but often spoke of himself simply as ‘a Negro’, leaving the question open to interpretation.
There are some who believe that Langston Hughes was indeed African-American and black, pointing to his attendance at a black school and his involvement with the NAACP as evidence. Others have suggested that Hughes was of mixed-race, either African-American and white, or African-American and Native American. Regardless, it is likely that much of Hughes’ writing and poetry was deeply embedded in both African-American history and struggles.
Grammatical Structures in Hughes’ Work
In addition to discussing the racial identity of Langston Hughes, it is also important to consider his use of grammar and the innovative literary devices he employed. Hughes often used an idiosyncratic mix of “standard” and vernacular grammar, which allowed him to create complicated meanings out of simple words. He was particularly skillful at playing with syntax and manipulating grammar in new and innovative ways.
For instance, Hughes often used “simple” words to convey nuanced messages. His use of articles, adverbs, and prepositions often indicated subtle shades of emotion. By deliberately manipulating the placement of words and sentences, he was able to create subtle meanings that could be perceived on more than one level.
For example, his poem “Laughing To Keep From Crying” underscores the African-American experience of laughing to keep from crying. He initially describes a happy situation, such as running in a playground. After the initial description, however, Hughes introduces language indicating sadness and loss, such as “But I hear a voice that cries: Oh, I ain’t got a home.” In this way, the poem incorporates both a literal meaning and an implicit message, creating layers of meaning that can be interpreted differently.
The Importance of Hughess’ Work
Though his philosophical, social and political statements remain as relevant today as in his lifetime, Langston Hughes’ writing also serves to document and critique the African-American experience at a time when white voices, narratives and histories often dominated the cultural narrative.
As a result, Hughes’ works stand as an invaluable record of the struggles, successes and contributions of a people, which has become an invaluable resource in both the academic and cultural landscape. His work, when juxtaposed and examined with that of other writers and intellectuals, serves to further illuminate and contextualize the African-American experience, allowing readers better to understand the nuances that shaped it.
Lastly, Langston Hughes’ poetry also offers a window into his personal growth, as he struggled with issues of identity and faith in a world where such discussions are often difficult to have and explore. His work serves to highlight the barriers that can be erected between individuals, and offers insight into the workings of power, prejudice and privilege. As a result, Hughes’ work can often be both a call to action and a way of understanding the African-American experience.
Intersectionality in Hughes’ Work
In many cases, Langston Hughes was able to capture the complexity of the African-American experience, such as the use of intersectionality in his works. In this way, he was able to paint a multilayered portrait of everyday life that encompassed far more than just a single frame of reference.
For example, Hughes’ poem “Dreams” speaks to the power of the imagination to open up new possibilities, even in the face of adversity. Here, he speaks of “Dreams deferred that live in the soul”, while also resulting in effect of “Stale smoke of dreams”. In this way, Hughes uses collaborative and shared experiences to open the door to a greater understanding of race and identity.
Importantly, Hughes often speaks of the complexity and intersectionality of the lives of African-Americans, something often overlooked in other texts of the time. His works speak to the growth of a true African-American identity as something distinct, yet still linked to the collective experience. As such, his works continue to be an invaluable source of information and insight about the complexities and varying perspectives that informed the African-American experience.
Hughess’ Lasting Impact
Over a century later, Hughes’ works remain as important and relevant as ever. As a result, he has had a lasting influence on the African-American literary canon, inspiring generations of writers and artists to explore their own unique experiences. Furthermore, his works have inspired a whole new generation of readers and writers to take a more critical look at the African-American experience. Though Hughes himself may not have known the full extent to which his words would be embraced and impact future generations, his works continue to themes and topics explored are deeply influential within the African-American literary world.
Moreover, his writings have inspired an entire spectrum of different racial identities, from biracial or multiracial individuals to members of the African diaspora. As his words continue to be a source of guidance, understanding and insight, they continue to shape the landscape of African-American literature and experience, helping to open doors and initiate conversations about race, identity and self-expression.
Diversity in Hughes’ Works
In addition to the complex themes found in Langston Hughes’ works, his use of diverse storytelling devices also serve to promote greater understanding and connection. His stories were often told from multiple perspectives, reflecting a diversity of voices, experiences and realities. His works often showed the interconnectedness of race, class, gender and religious beliefs, depicting a wide range of cultures and heritages. Moreover, by exploring the layers of intersecting identities, Hughes was able to emphasize the nuances and complexities of the African-American experience.
His works also often encompassed the joy and humor found in moments of shared culture and understanding, as well as shining a light on the issues of poverty and oppression that disproportionately affected African-Americans of the twentieth century. Hughes was able to use his literature to create a shared space for both celebration and critique, ultimately creating a tribute to the beauty and power of African-American identity.
Rhythm and Musicality in Hughes’ Works
Finally, it is important to acknowledge the role of rhythm and musicality in Langston Hughes’s works, as they often served to further emphasize the themes and topics found therein. He was especially adept at employing a variety of sounds and rhythms to create a unique musicality in his works. In this way, he was able to connect the themes in his works to the musical heritage of African-American culture. By doing so, Hughes was able to create a unique language and soundscape, which served to further emphasize the real-world experiences of the characters and themes in his works.
Ultimately, this musicality and rhythmic quality ensures that Hughes’ works are both accessible and meaningful to a variety of audiences. They open the door to conversations about identity, race and intersectionality, while still remaining deeply linked to the core of African-American music and culture. Thus, this musicality serves to further elevate the importance of Langston Hughes’ works, while also allowing them to remain accessible and relevant to today’s readers and listeners.
