Topic > Analysis of Langston Hughes' Messages in His Poems

Langston Hughes was one of the most prolific writers of the Harlem Renaissance era. Hughes's works are best known for the sense of black pride they convey and for Hughes's incorporation of jazz into his poetry. In 1926, Hughes wrote the critically acclaimed essay, "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain" for The Nation magazine. In this essay, Hughes rebukes artists who shun their racial identity to please fearful blacks and white audiences. Hughes' message to white audiences acknowledges their interest in black art as a means of stereotypical entertainment. Some of Hughes's most powerful poems, including "I, Too" and "Freedom," serve as stark evidence of the blasphemous behavior of Negro artists and white audiences of his time. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay What is significant about Hughes' essay is why it was written. The goal was to embrace black culture and for black artists and authors to create their own artistic field. Hughes, however, had a poet say to him: "I want to be a poet, not a Negro poet, which means, I think, that I want to write like a white poet, which means unconsciously, I would like to be a white poet, which means that behind to this, I wish I were white.” This is powerful because it shows how society has put it into this poet's head that blacks write differently than whites, therefore showing the stereotype of black writers The example that Hughes used in the his work was the background of the man who wanted to become a white poet. What he realized was that the young poet was struggling to become white. This was because he had different privileges that most black people did not have from a middle-class family and a non-segregated school. The crucial aspect of this situation is that Hughes explained that he was unable to enjoy the value and life of his own people because he often separated himself from them. So, based on his environment, he felt that this was why the poet embraced whiteness rather than who he truly was. Even Hughes' response regarding poets in general was that the black racial world is as interesting as any other world. He also felt that when it comes to being an artist people should be able to choose what they decide to do, and not be afraid of it. In "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain," Hughes talks about a young Negro poet who proclaimed that he did not want to be an African-American poet, but simply a poet. Hughes associates this comment with the Negro poet in the sense that he would rather be a white poet and a whiter person. Nina Baym cites evidence of Hughes's outspoken protest on this topic, stating, "Before and then, Hughes's poems demanded that African Americans be recognized as owners of the culture they had given to the United States and as fully enfranchised American citizens" (Baym 2027). If so, it means that the young Negro poet understands the prevailing issue of racism in the United States at that time. This means that the young black poet believes that the work of a white person is more easily accepted than that of a black person.Hughes wanted African-American artists to show pride in their racial heritage. He recognized that many artists were fleeing their culture. Most of Hughes' poems are the result of his life experiences and his encounters with racism. He is not ashamed of being an African American artist writing about African American culture for an African American audience. Hughes also uses jazz as.