Born in 1902 in Missouri, Hughes spent much of his formative years in a close-knit African American community in Lawrence, Kansas. His academic career included stops at Columbia and Lincoln Universities, as well as a stint studying at the University of Mexico.
The theme of Hughes’ writing was that of a black American. He wrote of people who suffered the indignities of racial injustice and the hopes of people for a better tomorrow. His first book, “The Weary Blues,” published in 1926, and his second book, “Fine Clothes to the Jew,” were released in 1927. He wrote countless books, poems and plays, such as the iconic “Montage of a Dream Deferred,” which served as an examination of the plight of African American during the early 20th century.
In addition to his writing career, Hughes spent time as a civil rights activist and playwright. His activism included producing the play “Mulatto,” which was the first play to address the interracial romance, and he participated in the Montgomery Bus Boycott by writing about its leaders. His work as an artist and mentor to jazz musicians, including Duke Ellington and Count Basie, had a major impact on popular culture. Through his writing, Hughes was able to inspire and uplift people during a time in which they faced extreme discrimination.
Langston Hughes’ most recognizable achievement was his dedication and commitment to literature and the African American experience. He gained prominence due to his ability to capture the African American voice in a unique and profound way. His legacy lives on in the various works he performed, produced, and wrote upon. His work has been celebrated, inspiring poets, writers and activists all over the world.
Langston Hughes’ Literary Contributions
Hughes’ body of work is both diverse and prolific. He wrote everything from plays to short stories to novels to poetry. His writing was strongly centered on the African American experience, and he was the first writer to create a body of work that showcased African American life in a complex and honest way. His novels and plays, such as “Not Without Laughter” and “Mulatto” explored the range of issues related to race in America. His poetry, such as “Dream Variations” and “Mother to Son”, which was often made into blues songs, was incredibly popular, influencing countless writers.
His unique writing style was developed over the years and is known as Jazz Poetry due to the jazz-like rhythms that would be echoed in Hughes’ poems. He wrote in first-person, often using slang or dialect, to better capture and relate to the experiences of African American people. Through his work, readers are able to gain a better understanding of the plight of African Americans during the early 20th century.
Langston Hughes’ Footprint on Popular Culture
Hughes’ influence on popular culture is astonishing. In addition to inspiring musicians, such as Ellington and Basie, he was a mentor to many other noted African American writers, including Zora Neale Hurston and James Baldwin. The works of many popular African American artists, such as rap duo OutKast and spoken word poet Jive Poetic, were heavily influenced by Hughes’ writings.
Furthermore, his legacy can be felt in American theater and literature. Several of his works, such as “Mulatto”, “Not Without Laughter”, and “The Negro Mother”, have been adapted for the screen, stage, and radio. His poems have also been adapted into songs by many well-known musicians.
Langston Hughes’ Impact of Activism
Not only was Hughes an artist and playwright, he was also an important civil rights activist. His activism can be seen in his writings and his plays. He used his works to speak out against racial injustice and the antidemocratic laws that blighted the African American experience.
He was also deeply involved in the Harlem Renaissance, a movement that sought to bring African American culture and literature to a wider audience. He was a vocal opponent of the racial segregation of public facilities and transportation during the Civil Rights Movement, and he wrote passionately about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Awards & Accolades
Hughes was recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1949 and the Anisfield Wolf Award in 1960. He was also awarded the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in 1951, the Shelley Memorial Award in 1957 and the first Langston Hughes Medal by City College of New York in 1968. He received 30 honorary degrees from colleges and universities throughout the world.
In addition to awards and honors, Hughes also received numerous grants and fellowships. In 1940, he received an honorarium for a lecture tour throughout the Soviet Union, and in 1956, he received a National Council on the Arts and Humanities creative writing fellowship.
Philanthropic Acts
Reflective of his passion for stories and literature, Hughes left a legacy of giving. He was a co-founder of the Carver Theater, a playhouse in Pittsburgh that gave the African American community a place to showcase their talents. He was also a benefactor of the Negro Heritage Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, which sought to preserve and promote African American literature and arts.
In 1974, he established the Langston Hughes Research Center, which provides resources and research assistance on various aspects of African American literature, history and culture. Lastly, he established a substantial fund for the advancement of creative writing, which contributed to the development of numerous playwrights, poets, fiction writers and nonfiction writers.
Legacy of Langston Hughes
The writings of Langston Hughes have served as a source of inspiration and education for generations, and his works are still popular today. He provided an honest and powerful voice in a time when African American people faced extreme marginalization and discrimination. His writing not only provided insight and understanding, it gave readers the courage to tell their stories and the hope that the future could be better.
His legacy is not limited to just literature. His militant civil rights work, philanthropic acts, and his commitment to amplifying African American culture remain highly influential and inspiring. His legacy can also be found in popular culture and education. Langston Hughes inspired and represented a community, a legacy that will remain powerful, relevant, and eternal.
