Birth and Early Life
Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri, to James and Carrie Hughes. His father became a lawyer, but he often left the family, so Hughes and his mother moved to Topeka and then to Lawrence, Kansas. Hughes was a precocious reader and writer, receiving an impressive formal education in Lawrence. He was a voracious reader and was especially moved by the poetry of Walt Whitman, a major influence on his writings. Hughes went on to attend Columbia University and soon became part of the Harlem Renaissance in New York.
The Harlemn Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural, social, and political movement in the late 1920s and early 1930s whose aim was to bring recognition to African-American culture, which had been largely ignored. Hughes was heavily inspired by the movement, which inspired him to write about his experience as a black person in America. He wrote extensively about the systemic racism and disenfranchisement of African-Americans in his works.
Famous Poem – ‘The Negro Speaks of Rivers’
One of Langston Hughes’ most famous poems is ‘The Negro Speaks of Rivers,’ written in 1921 when Hughes was only 19 years old. The poem is a reference to the history and heritage of the African-American people and serves as a reminder of how far they have come. The poem also speaks of Hughes’ connection to the rivers throughout history, as they were places of transport, sustenance, and freedom for the enslaved Africans during the Middle Passage. The poem reads:
I’ve known rivers:
I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln
went down to New Orleans,
and I’ve seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset.
I’ve known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
Autobiographical Works
Hughes also wrote several autobiographical works that shed light on his life experience, such as The Big Sea, released in 1940. This work reflects upon his travels during the Great Depression, his struggles against racism, and his relationships with other prominent figures of the Harlem Renaissance. Through his work, he detailed his vast experience with the African-American experience in pre-civil rights America and offered readers a rich glimpse into the culture of the time.
Legacy
The legacy of Langston Hughes spans beyond literary works. He was a powerful activist who used his powerful words to speak out against injustice and inequality. Hughes was a strong proponent of civil rights and equality and sought to bring attention to the struggles of black people in America. He used his work to bring awareness to social causes, such as poverty, systemic racism, and other issues.
Hearts of Resistance
In addition to his poetry, Hughes was also a powerful essayist. His essay Hearts of Resistance was published in 1928, in which he explored the power of the African-American spirit and its role in overcoming racism and injustice. The essay was hailed as a powerful testament to the strength and resilience of the African-American people and their ability to overcome the trauma of their enslavement and the oppression they faced in America.
Final Years
Hughes died in 1967 at the age of 65. His death was deeply mourned by the African-American community and his literary works are still celebrated and cited today. He was buried in Harlem in an African-American cemetery, a tribute to his commitment to the civil rights movement and the African-American experience.
Influence on Today
Today, Hughes’ influence is clear in the continued fight for civil rights and racial equality. His works are a reminder of the resilience of the African-American people and their ability to overcome any obstacles they face. His words continue to be a rallying cry, inspiring people to fight racism, injustice, and inequality. Langston Hughes’ legacy will long be remembered as a powerful force in the fight for racial justice.
