James+Langston+Hughes+by+Faith+Sarah+Speranza

James Langston Hughes was a man of inspiration to African Americans during The Civil Rights movement, which affected the United States through the 1960’s to the 1980’s. Hughes was one of the many African American men having to live through this period of racial hate, dishonor, and death for beliefs. James Langston Hughes was a talented man that spoke what he believed through his poetry, essays, and social activism, and who became famous for his many works that gave African Americans a new name. Through his writing, Hughes debated on the beliefs of equality between blacks and whites. In Hughes’ most famous essays, he states that "We younger Negro artists now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased we are glad. If they aren't, it doesn't matter. We know we are beautiful. And ugly too..." (Smith). Through this quote, Hughes made it aware to all people how the black society was no longer ashamed of whom they were and was no longer standing down. Hughes also repeated the need for desegregation and Civil Rights in many of his works. Hughes constantly reminded people of the role blacks played in American society as well as misplaced values of both blacks and whites during the Civil Rights movement. Like many minorities at this time, Hughes expressed the neglect towards those in the middle class and wanted to prove that segregation was not a human solution to society’s problems (Miller). Hughes had a goal to make all Americans aware that, no matter their race or gender, they were all equal. He reminded blacks that there was hope, and they were not alone in their struggles as they attempted to blend in with American society. “Hughes firmly believed that his words could change lives. He was never just a writer, he was a black writer.” (Bloom). He stressed the importance of equality and racial pride as well as endurance (Bloom). However, although they were fighting for their rights, Hughes also encouraged blacks to pursue a normal life aside from the civil rights arguments that were taking place. Many of Hughes’ works were published through out the Civil Rights movement, which was a time period in American history when blacks were trying to gain the same basic rights to live and work as whites. The majority of his works were published and became famous during a time referred to as the Harlem Renaissance; works such as __The Negro Speaks Rivers__, __The Dream Keeper__, and __Dream Deferred__ (Turner). His works in this time frame allowed whites to view the suffrage the black society endured, and gave them the ability to feel the hardships felt by African Americans. Through his literature, Hughes created a settle mindset for blacks to live by at such a harsh time. He gave his piece of mind for others to live by and encouraged blacks to ignore the cruel racial weight that America had placed on the black society, and, through this writings, Hughes made it possible for blacks to unite and stand up for what they believed in. Within James Langston Hughes’ many talents, his most important, being the ability to affect those who were able to gain knowledge from life, and its importance no matter what race. Annotated Works Cited “Bloom’s BioCritiques: Langston Hughes.” Bloom’s Biographies; (2002). Literary Reference Center. . __Bloom’s BioCritiques: Langston Hughes__ provided the outlook on the civil rights movement that affected the United States for such a long period. Langston Hughes was an inspiration to many African Americans during this movement and he firmly believed his words could change lives. This source also stressed how Hughes’ goal was to stress the importance of equality and racial pride. “Major Works of Hughes, Langston.” The __Story of Langston Hughes__ (2002). Literary Reference Center; Turner. __The Story of Langston Hughes__ was another source that gave a biography on Hughes’ life and how he wanted to change how African Americans were treated. It also gave many of his famous works such as, __The Negro Speaks Rivers__, __The Dream Keeper__, and __Dream Deferred.__ Everyone was a fan of Langston Hughes no matter what race, because he wanted everyone to be equal. Miller, R. Baxter. “Langston Hughes.” __Concise Dictionary of American Literary Biography the__ __Age of Maturity 1929-1941.__ 1989, 156-157. __Concise Dictionary of American Literary Biography the Age of Maturity 1929-1941__ is a reference book that gave much detail on Langston Hughes’ life growing up with a difficult home life, and being an African American. This book also states the themes, influences, and, that within his poetry, essays, and social activism Hughes wanted to prove that everyone is equal. Smith, Valer. “Langston Hughes 1902-1967.” __African American Writers__. 1991, 302-306 __African American Writers__ is a reference book that was written to inform others of Langston Hughes’ famous works as well as famous quotes. The majority of quotes were ones that Hughes wanted to make everyone open their eyes and live with no fear or shame on who they are. “Major Works of Hughes, Langston.” The __Story of Langston Hughes__ (2002). Literary Reference Center; Turner. __The Story of Langston Hughes__ was another source that gave a biography on Hughes’ life and how he wanted to change how African Americans were treated. It also gave many of his famous works such as, __The Negro Speaks Rivers__, __The Dream Keeper__, and __Dream Deferred.__ Everyone was a fan of Langston Hughes no matter what race, because he wanted everyone to be equal.