Langston Hughes and Harlem Renaissance
Langston Hughes was an important figure of Harlem Renaissance, the vibrant artistic movement of the 1920s that shaped African American literature, theatre, and music. His literary works and activism represent a key contribution to the development of the modern African American identity.
Hughes was born James Mercer Langston Hughes on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. Raised in an integrated home, his parents exposed him to a variety of cultures and exposed him to many forms of art and literature. At an early age, Hughes wrote poetry and by the time he graduated from high school he was already a published author, having several works published in local papers.
In 1921, Langston Hughes moved to New York City and soon became a central part of the literary movement known as the Harlem Renaissance. A time of unprecedented intellectual and artistic ferment among African American artists, the Harlem Renaissance saw Hughes become the leading voice of a vibrant new black literature.
Hughes was hailed as the “Poet Laureate of the Negro Race” for his ability to encapsulate the transcendent power of the African American experience within his works. His poems, plays, and novels addressed the day-to-day realities of his fellows while also journeying into the past and dreaming of the possibilities of the future. Liberally using black vernacular, Hughes’ works represented a vanguard of a new black expression that was neither predominantly white nor blindly nationalist.
This rebel-but-embracing approach to race made Langston Hughes a beloved figure among African American audiences. But his innate talent for making literature accessible to the common reader saw Hughes rise to become a literary celebrity, enjoying the attention of both critics and fans from around the world.
As a successful writer, Hughes found the time and resources to travel overseas and became an important messenger for the Harlem Renaissance to the rest of the world. He attended a Creative Arts Conference in France for six months where he lectured about his life in America and wrote a book about his travels in Germany, entitled I Wonder As I Wander.
Langston Hughes also excelled in journalism. He wrote articles and reviews for numerous publications, such as the Chicago Defender and The Nation, boosting the visibility of African American artists. He continued doing this until his death in 1967, serving as a bridge between black writers of the past and the generations to come.
Hughes’s Style and Works
Throughout his career Langston Hughes used many different styles and forms of poetry, and although his work was firmly rooted in the rhythms of jazz and blues music, he was also influenced by French Symbolism. He wanted to capture the feelings of jazz and blues music in his poetry, and merged poetry and dramatic writing to become one of the most original and influential figures of the Harlem Renaissance.
Hughes wrote some of his best work in the 1920s and 1930s, which included the novel “Not Without Laughter” (1930), the play “Mule Bone” (1931), as well as many short stories, essays and poems such as “The Weary Blues” (1925), “Let America Be America Again” (1935), “Mother To Son” (1922), and “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” (1921). These works revealed the achievements of African Americans without sanitizing the problems and difficulties they faced.
During his lifetime, Langston Hughes published numerous works, ranging from novels, poetry collections, and plays to anthologies, non-fiction works, and essays. His influence remains felt in contemporary African American and African diasporic literature, as his works continue to be widely read and celebrated.
Legacy of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes changed popular culture in the United States forever, not just because of the great literature he wrote, but because he opened doors for generations of African American writers to come. He is widely respected for his efforts in the Civil Rights Movement and standing at the forefront of the battle for political, social, and economic rights for African Americans.
In recognition of his unique contributions to American culture, Langston Hughes was awarded numerous awards and honors during his lifetime, most notably the Spingarn Medal and the Langston Hughes Award. He was also selected as the first black man to be inducted into the National Institute of Arts and Letters.
His poetry, works, and activism have left a lasting legacy and provided a much needed platform for future African American writers, making him one of the greatest literary figures of the 20th century. He granted many young African American writers the liberty to explore their changing identities and leave behind a cultural mark to be remembered for many years to come.
Comparison between Langston Hughes and Other Poets from Harlem Renaissance
When compared to the other poets emerging from the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes stands out for his ability to combine art and literature into something that is both meaningful to the general population and true to the African American experience.
Unlike other poets such as Countee Cullen and Claude McKay who wrote in a more traditional style, Langston Hughes embraced the diverse rhythms of blues and jazz, infusing these sounds into his poetry and creating a distinctive voice that was uniquely his own. His works were notable for their combination of humour, satire, and a deep understanding and empathy for the African American struggle.
Impact on African American Arts
Langston Hughes’s influence can still be felt today in many artistic and literary works. In recent years, artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, and Beyonce have cited him as a source of inspiration for their work. His impact on African American literature is still seen in popular novels such as “The Color Purple” and “Beloved”, both of which contain theme of racial oppression, a key element of Hughes’ works.
In the arts, his works inspired visual artists and sculptors who sought out to capture the vibrancy and complexity of African American life in their works. This can be seen, for example, in the collection of art by Aaron Douglas and paintings by Jacob Lawrence, both of whom were heavily influenced by Langston Hughes’s writing.
Finally, Hughes’s works continue to be featured in school curriculums in the United States, ensuring that his voice and message will continue to be remembered for generations to come.
Langston Hughes’s Legacy in International Context
While many Americans associate Langston Hughes with the United States, his influence extended well beyond its borders. Several of his poems are still taught in many countries throughout the world, particularly in African nations such as Cameroon and Nigeria. This international recognition speaks to the timelessness and universality of Hughes’s work, which speaks both to the African American experience and the human condition at large.
In the 1980s, Hughes’s work gained renewed attention, particularly in Zimbabwe and South Africa where his works became necessary reading for the burgeoning civil rights movements. His works served as a source of solidarity and hope for African activists who, like Hughes, sought to leave a legacy of freedom and equality in their respective countries.
Today, Hughes’s influence can still be felt in Africa, where many poets and writers cite him as an influence. His works continue to provide inspiration and guidance to many young writers striving to bring a new voice to the continent’s literature.
Hughes in Contemporary Literature
Langston Hughes’s influence can still be seen in the works of many contemporary African American writers, such as Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and Alice Walker. His style and themes, such as racial justice and African American pride, remain important in contemporary literature.
In recent years, Hughes’s work has gained renewed popularity in the United States and abroad. His poems and essays are being taught in more and more classrooms, and his works have been adapted into films and plays. This attention has ensured that Hughes’s legacy will continue to be relevant for generations to come.
Current Cultural Relevance
More than 50 years after his death, Langston Hughes’s message still resonates with an audience in both the United States and internationally. His works remain as relevant as ever, providing a powerful voice for the marginalised and a stark reminder that art can be used to both question and challenge dominant ideologies.
It is not uncommon to see many of his works being mentioned in popular culture, particularly in hip-hop and R&B songs and artworks. Still widely seen as a groundbreaking figure, Langston Hughes’s legacy continues to remain relevant to this day.
