Early Life
Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. His father, James Hughes, had left his family shortly after Langston’s birth, leaving his mother and grandmother to raise him. When Langston was 13 his mother left for Mexico, leaving him and his grandmother under the care of his mother’s friend and partner, Carrie Clark. He was a student of literature from a young age, writing his first poem when he was eight years old. Following his high school graduation, Hughes went to New York City to attend Columbia University, but dropped out after one year. He went on to have a prolific literary and literary activist’s career.
Poetry and Performance
Hughes is best known for his poetic works, notably his collections “The Weary Blues” (1926), and “Fine Clothes to the Jew” (1927). He was one of the leading writers of the Harlem Renaissance, a literary movement in the 1920s which celebrated African-American art and culture, often making use of jazz and blues imagery in his works. His poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” was widely read, and he was the first African-American to ever be awarded the Spingarn Medal for his outstanding contribution to literature in 1926.
Hughes was also a social activist and was heavily involved in the protests of the Great Depression and World War II. He staged poetry reading tours around the country, often performing in some of the most impoverished areas of the country, including New Orleans and Detroit. His approach to writing and activism enabled African-American voices to be heard on a wider national and even international scale.
Legacy
Throughout his career, Hughes was an advocate for racial equality and social justice. His works have spawned countless adaptations and references; examples of which can be found in the works of Maya Angelou, Jean Toomer and Alice Walker. His influence can be seen not only in the works of other celebrated African-American writers, but in musical theater and films. Langston Hughes was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1983 and had his works studied at college and high school levels throughout the United States.
Langston Hughes and The Blues
The Blues is considered a significant artistic movement and a cornerstone of African-American culture. Langston Hughes was a key figure in the preservation and dissemination of this tradition. His use of everyday language, combined with innovative rhythms and techniques from Jazz and Blues, transformed his work into the cornerstones of American literature.
An example of his lyrical approach is “The Weary Blues” (1926), where Hughes draw attention to the everyday struggles of working-class people. In the poem, Hughes employs a literary technique of blues choruses to emphasize the strenuous physical labor of the people, often unaware of the sacrifice and hard work that goes into creating the living conditions they are in.
Racial Diversity in Hughes’s Writings
Langston Hughes took a unique approach to discussing African-American identity, one that was centered around bridging the gap between races and cultures. He sought to build understanding and acceptance between black and white Americans, and this was evident in his works. His writing often discussed themes of racial tension, but with a sense of humor, such as his short story “The Cat and the Crowd” (1941), which features a black cat and white rat who are uncomfortable interacting until they discover a shared understanding of music. This demonstrates Hughes’ ability to convey complex messages without being didactic.
Social Critiques
Much of Langston Hughes’s work critiques and examines African-American life in the early 20th century, with a focus on the issues of poverty, racism and segregation. His essay “The Ways of White Folks” (1934)Is perhaps the best example of his analysis of the racial divide in the United States. In it, Hughes examines the hypocrisy of white society and its tendency to view African-Americans as lesser citizens, making them more vulnerable to discrimination and violence.
Equality and Justice
Langston Hughes’s passion for justice was clear in his works, which often featured characters fighting for equality and speaking out against racism. In his poem “Let America be America Again” (1938), Hughes critiques the notion of the “American Dream,” describing it as a false promise for many Americans, due to the discrimination and poverty faced by African-Americans, Indigenous peoples, and other minority groups.
Modern-Day Relevance
Though his fame and influence waxed and waned throughout his life, Langston Hughes’s work remains relevant and celebrated today. His works are analyzed in literature classes and performed in theater, but his message is also crucial in our contemporary political and social discourse. His works continues to inspire countless people to fight for justice and equality, and his legacy of telling the stories of African-Americans and other minority groups will continue to be championed in years to come.
