Carrie Mercer Langston Hughes was born in rural Missouri in 1864. Orphaned at an early age, she moved to Lawrence, Kansas to live with an aunt. As a young adult, she was a teacher and also worked in the post office to make ends meet. She eventually married a black attorney named Davis Joshua Hughes, who adopted her first son, James Nathaniel Langston.
In 1902, Langston was born to the couple in Joplin, Missouri. His mother was an advocate for civil rights and encouraged her son to pursue his dreams of becoming an author. She credited her own love of literature for her decision to name their son after the famous poet, Langston Hughes.
At the time, racial segregation was common practice in Joplin, and yet Carrie Langston Hughes was a progressive woman who exposed her son to learning, travel and culture. She raised her son to recognize and challenge the racism of his day. She taught him to enjoy the beauty of his own culture and strive for better things.
Langston Hughes drew upon his own experiences and memories of his mother to write his famous works. His poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” is a tribute to Hughes’ connection to “mothers and others” who had helped him to embrace his own African-American identity.
The poem “Mother to Son” is one of Hughes’ best-known works. The inspiration for this poem came from his mother’s own message of hope and dedication to her son. She implored him to keep striving, to never give up in the face of adversity.
Although Langston Hughes died in 1967, his mother’s influence and memory live on through his works. His writings celebrate the struggles and contributions of African-Americans, and honor the courage of his mother who encouraged him to challenge the world, and move past its injustices.
Literary Influences
Langston Hughes had a passionate love for language and literature that was shaped by his mother. She read him stories such as Andersen’s Fairy Talesand Shakespeare’s plays, exposing him to a literary world beyond the segregated south. She also told her son stories about her own experiences and struggles, inspiring him to celebrate all aspects of African-American heritage.
His mother was also a follower of W.E.B. Du Bois’s ideology on the importance of racial pride and a believer in unity for blacks to succeed. This ideology was expressed through her son’s works — his books and poems, such as “The Weary Blues”, echoed themes of race and struggle in African-American communities.
While she provided strong moral guidance, she also provided her son opportunity and freedom. Hughes’ mother took her son to visit the cities of the North, where he saw liberalism and progress firsthand.
The open-mindedness that she modeled to her son had a lifelong effect, inspiring Hughes to explore both race and culture. From his mother, he gained a love of learning and a comprehension of the power of language and literature as a tool for making a difference.
Public Role
In addition to her influence on her son’s works and ideas, Langston Hughes’ mother was also an avid supporter of the civil rights movement. As a teacher and postmaster, she had the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those around her. She often spoke out against acts of racism and injustices in her community. Her tireless work and dedication to the cause earned her the honor of being named “Mother of the Year” in 1954 by the National Council of Negro Women.
In addition to the accolade she earned in her lifetime, Hughes’ mother was also discovered to be the only recorded female member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Joplin. This discovery set off a revolution amongst African-American scholars who had previously believed that Carrie Langston Hughes was illiterate.
Beautifully, it is her name and her profound impact that continues to be remembered today. Through the work of her son and the testimonies of those who knew her, Carrie Mercer Langston Hughes is remembered as a woman of great strength and courage.
Legacy
Langston Hughes’ works show that his mother had an immense influence on his life. In many of his works, he expresses the strong bond between himself and his mother and pays tribute to her profound influence in his life. Hughes was deeply aware of the power of stories and his complex relationship with his mother is evident in many of his works.
Her memory is preserved in many of his works and in the archives of American literature. She inspired his writing, and her boldness and unwavering courage not only lived in her words but also in her son’s works.
Social Relevance
Carrie Mercer Langston Hughes serves as an example of perseverance and an example of hope for future generations. Her example shows that it is possible for those who have been disempowered to still become empowered and make a meaningful contribution to society.
The influence of Hughes’ mother is not just found in her son’s works; it is also found in the work of civil rights organizations, the struggle for justice and equality, and in the belief that people of color can still succeed in a society that is predicated on injustice and oppression.
Today, her legacy as a fighter for justice lives on and her accomplishments are honored by organizations and individuals around the world. The memory of her fight is one of the reasons why society is slowly moving towards a more equitable future.
Posthumous Recognition
Carrie Mercer Langston Hughes was posthumously honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Negro Women. The award commemorates her courage in standing up against injustice and bigotry and her example of leadership and integrity.
Moreover, in 2006, the Missouri College of the Arts and Sciences established the Langston Hughes Center in her honor. The center provides support for black and minority students who are seeking higher education. Carrie Langston Hughes was also inducted into the Dexter Cemetery Historical Society of Nodaway County, Missouri.
The impact of Carrie Mercer Langston Hughes extends beyond her family and her hometown. She helped shape her son’s works and inspired a wider audience with her advocacy for justice and equality.
Contemporary Appreciation
Carrie Mercer Langston Hughes is remembered for her courage in standing up for what she believed in and for having the strength to fight against injustice. Her example is one to be emulated in the present day and is an inspiration to those who strive for justice.
She and her works are celebrated in modern literary circles, especially those honoring black empowerment and civil rights. Her example of courage, leadership and conviction in the face of adversity is a beacon of hope and insight into the enduring spirit of justice, love and resilience in the African-American community.
Langston Hughes’ works are considered globally and a testament to the profound influence his mother had on him and his writing. Her example of courageous fortitude, combined with the insights of her son, have shaped and will continue to shape the way we as a society view injustice and strive for a better world.
