"Each human being must live within his time, with and for his people, and within the boundaries of his country."

The Harlem Renaissance is the period from the end of World War I and through the middle of the 1930s Depression. This cultural movement rose in Harlem, New York, before known as the “New Negro Movement,” It is the time where a group of talented African American writers were introduced to literature through drama, essay, poetry, fiction, and many other forms of artistic expression. African Americans made many accomplishments in literature during the Harlem Renaissance.

            A major factor leading to the rise of the Harlem Renaissance was the migration of African Americans to the northern cities. Between 1919 and 1926, large numbers of African Americans left their rural southern state homes to move to urban cities such as New York City, Chicago, and Washington D.C. The Harlem Renaissance was more than just a literary movement; it was an expression of African Americans and their heritage. It included the music, jazz and blues, paintings, “the back to Africa” movement led by Marcus Garvey, and racial integration.

            Many people may believe that Langston Hughes was the source to African Americans opinion being heard, which is not the case. "Hughes wrote a fundamentally new kind of verse -- one that told of the joys and sorrows, the trials and triumphs of ordinary black folk, in the language of their typical speech and composed out of a genuine love of these people."(3) Langston Hughes’ work is known for its “colorful verses on a wide variety of topics.” (2) In his poetry every word should be taken into consideration. His poems may be very short but they go into depth and his words are very expressive.

Through his writings he made many contributions to following generations by writing about African American issues. Today, Hughes still maintains a presence in literature and English studies. His work is able to allow each reader to see his talent and to understand the time period in which he made many accomplishments. His art was firmly rooted in race pride and race feeling even as he cherished his freedom as an artist.(1) Langston Hughes has remained an important figure in literature that is very well valued today.

                                          

1. Arnold Rampersad, "Hughes' Life and Career," http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hughes/life.htm, 25 April 2011

2. Hill, Christine M. Langston Hughes: Poet of the Harlem Renaissance. New Jersey: Enslow Publishers, Inc, 1997.

3. "Teaching Multicultural Literature . Workshop 6 . Authors and LiteraryWorks . Biography." Learner.org. Web. 26 Apr. 2011. <http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/workshop6/authors.html>.

Hughes Biography and Contribution

James Mercer Langston Hughes is an African American writer, poet, and novelist. He was born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. Hughes was named after both his father and his grand-uncle, John Mercer Langston who, in 1888, became the first African American to be elected to the United States Congress from Virginia. He attended Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he began writing poetry. Following graduation, he spent a year in Mexico and a year at Columbia University. During these years, he held odd jobs as an assistant cook, launderer, and a busboy, and travelled to Africa and Europe working as a seaman(2). Hughes was the most popular and versatile of the many writers connected with the Harlem Renaissance. (1)

 In the 1920s, he joined the Harlem Renaissance and with his outstanding works of art he became one of the leading figures of the movement (3). He is best known for his writings during the Harlem Renaissance, the period after World War I and through the middle of the 1930s depression. Although, Langston Hughes is best known for his poetry, we should not forget about his drama Mulatto, written in 1935 and was performed on Broadway almost 400 times. Hughes published more than three dozen books during his life, starting out with poetry and then expanding into novels, short stories, and plays.

Langston Hughes expresses the hardships and dreams of all African Americans. How their lifestyle was “taken away” and they were forced into white culture.  He contributed in writing about African Americans and recognizing their music and type of speech. Through his writings he made many contributions to following generations by writing about African American issues in creative ways including the use of blues and jazz. Langston Hughes captured the scene of Harlem life in the early 20th century significantly influencing American Literature.   He wanted his readers to have an idea of what African Americans went through during slavery and how they overcame their trials and tribulations. Langston Hughes died of complications from prostate cancer in May 22, 1967, in New York. In his memory, his residence at 20 East 127th Street in Harlem, New York City, has been given landmark status by the New York City Preservation Commission, and East 127th Street has been renamed "Langston Hughes Place." (2)

1.    Baym, Nina, Wayne Franklin, Philip F. Gura, and Arnold Krupat. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 7th ed. Vol. D. New York: W. W. Norton &, 2007. Print

2.    "Langston Hughes." Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More. Academy of American Poets, 1997. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. <http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/83>.

"Poetry of the Harlem Renaissance." Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers' Network. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. <http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/modern_us_poetry/105797>.

I, too, sing America

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.

Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.