History of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes was an American poet, activist and novelist, who lived from 1902 to 1967. He was born in Joplin, Missouri and lived in New York and then in Washington, D.C. during his lifetime. He rose to prominence during the Harlem Renaissance, a period of African-American artistic and intellectual achievements during the 1920s and 1930s. His poetry and other work were widely acclaimed and influential, making him one of the best-known figures of the 20th century. His most famous poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” was published in 1921 as part of a collection of poems entitled “The Weary Blues.”
Langston Hughes was an outspoken and unapologetic advocate for civil rights, whose activism led to his being appointed to the Race Relations advisory committee of UNESCO in 1950. He was celebrated by many, including the NAACP and the American Academy of Arts and Letters, who honored him with their highest award in 1943. His influence on others included the likes of Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Henry Louis Gates, and James Baldwin, among others.
His influence on the American literary landscape, both during and since his lifetime, cannot be overstated. He has been credited as a major influence on the black power, Harlem Renaissance, and jazz poetry movements. Consequently, his life and works are perennially relevant in many spheres.
Last Years
By the 1960s, Langston Hughes had become increasingly unpopular with both the government and the public due to his public support for civil rights and anti-racist movements. In 1965, he joined a protest in Harlem against the death penalty for the infamous “Harlem Six,” a sentence that activists argued was racially motivated. This led to his being arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
Not long after, Hughes also began to experience various health problems, including kidney disease. He was prescribed a problematic drug for his condition and underwent a kidney operation in his last year of life. He died in 1968 at the age of 65.
Burial
Langston Hughes’s body was taken to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, where he lay in state for three days. He was then buried in an unadorned grave, with no religious service, at the Lincoln Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio on May 22, 1968. The funeral arrangements were fairly simple, with relatively few in attendance.
After his burial, a memorial service was held at Harlem’s Second Baptist Church. Speakers included then Vice President Hubert Humphrey and New York City mayor John Lindsay. The service was attended by most of those who had attended his funeral and by many more who had admired Hughes throughout the years.
Legacy
The Langston Hughes Legacy consists of two main components: his literary works and his human rights work. His literary works, particularly his poetry, continue to influence and influence today’s literature. His human rights work, meanwhile, is a powerful reminder of an individual’s ability to make a difference and stand up for what is right. His legacy is a source of inspiration for those who strive for justice and equality.
His work and life are remembered through the Langston Hughes Medal, established by the city of St. Louis and awarded to individuals who continue Hughes’s legacy by “making outstanding contributions to African-American culture and promoting race relations.” A cultural center called the Langston Hughes Service Center was founded in his honor in New York City, and the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center was established in Cleveland, Ohio. His legacy lives on in the Langston Hughes Poetry Award, an annual poetry competition for African American writers, and at the Langston Hughes International Cultural Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Where are Langston Hughes’ Remains?
Langston Hughes’ remains are located in the Lincoln Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. His grave is in Lot 85 at the Southside section of the cemetery, marked by a simple engraved stone bearing his name and birth and death dates. Every year, thousands of people visit his grave, some of whom bring tokens such as fresh flowers and other mementos.
Additionally, there is a growing movement to have him awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously. Senator Chuck Schumer from New York introduced a bill, the Langston Hughes Congressional Medal of Honor Act, with this goal in mind. If passed, this bill will award Hughes with the nation’s highest civilian honor in recognition of his literary and human rights work.
Conclusion
The death of Langston Hughes in 1967 was an enormous blow to the literary and civil rights worlds, but his life and work serve as an enduring reminder of the power of poets to challenge and inspire. His remains, resting within the Lincoln Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio, are a symbol of the respect and admiration he continues to receive. In the modern age, his influence continues to permeate culture and civil rights activism, and many people look to him as an example of how to fight injustice and inequality.
Continued Significance
Langston Hughes’ works continue to be studied and admired around the world. Some of his biggest works, such as the Negro Speaks of Rivers, are still widely studied in universities and colleges. His work is particularly lauded for its narrative power and lyrical depth, and its use of metaphor and imagery to explore themes of race and identity.
In addition to his literary works, his life and activism have been the subject of various books, films, and plays. His life is also commemorated through various public events and memorials. For example, a statue of the poet is located at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, and a memorial garden dedicated to him was established at Washington’s national Cathedral.
Civic Responsibility & Social Activism
Langston Hughes served as an inspiration to many people and a symbol of what civic responsibility and social activism could look like and achieve. He was a vocal advocate of civil rights and social justice, lending his voice to many important causes. His activism, writing, and poetry were based on the firm belief that everyone should have access to freedom and equality, regardless of race or ethnicity.
He used his platform to support solutions to ongoing racial and social injustices in the United States. Through his writings, he highlighted the discrimination experienced by African-Americans at the time, encouraging both readers and activists to take action. His works continue to inspire and motivate those who strive for justice and equality today.,
Commemorations
Langston Hughes is commemorated in various ways. In addition to the literary honors that have been bestowed upon him, statues of the poet have been erected at the Delaware State University and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City. Various organizations have also been named after him, such as the Langston Hughes Cultural Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Langston Hughes Association in Seattle, Washington.
Various cities and states, including Missouri, Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts, have marked his birthday as Langston Hughes Day or Poet’s Day to commemorate his life and work. Moreover, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp with his portrait on it in its 2013 Celebrate the Century series.
Conclusion
Langston Hughes’ legacy is a powerful reminder of what one individual can contribute to the pursuit of equality and justice. His literary works and life of activism still influence today’s literature, culture, and civil rights movements. His remains in the Lincoln Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio continue to symbolize respect and admiration. His works and activism inspire those who strive for justice and equality, and his memory is kept alive through memorials and commemorations.
