Writers, poets, painters, and musicians joined together to protest in there own way against the quality of life for black folks in the United States. Out of this grew what has been called the “Harlem Renaissance” or the “The Black Renaissance” or “The Black Renaissance” or “The Negro Movement”. But James Johnson informally inaugurated the movement with his publication of Fifty Years and Other Poems. His title poem referred to the fifty years that elapsed since the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation which was suppose to bring first class citizenship to Negroes (Johnson 1968). Other books soon followed with collections of poems, novels written by Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, James Johnson, and
Their ideas often differed from other black leaders. DuBois’s affiliation with the NAACP attempted to solve the problem through integration. Garvey’s UNIA centered around the idea of blacks helping blacks, attempting to relieve blacks of any dependence on whites. Both men had a lasting impact on generations to come. The beliefs of W.E.B.
“Through his long career as a professional writer, Hughes remained true to the African American heritage he celebrated in his writings, which were frankly ”racial in theme and treatment, derived from the life I know” (1131 Meyer) . All of his poems inspiration comes from his life and experiences dealing with racism, segregation, and overall struggle for the average black man and woman. “I Too”, “motto”, and “High to Low” each explain their own stories of his struggles, and of others. Langston Hughes is one of the few that can write out his poems in a simplistic manner to paint a vivid picture of the struggles of African – American and also help give that sense of “You are not alone” feel. “I too” Is a poem that speaks about the racial times in America.
“Theme for English B” The first thought that came to mind when reading this poem, “Theme for English B,” by Langston Hughes was the dichotomy being used of blacks and whites; along with the differences and similarities that ultimately connect everyone together. During this time period there was controversy over segregation and inequality. Using my background knowledge from US History, in this specific time period that this poem was being written occurred when the Harlem Renaissance was taking place. With this in mind, Hughes word choice and sentence fluency give off a blues/jazz vibe. Since this was a time for renewal and flourishing of black literacy and musical culture, this would make sense to why he incorporated this tone throughout his poem.
The story of America is a story about the African American movement and how from this movement arises the African American character which effects those who move, as well as those who remain . The phenomena of movement and motion has constantly effected the African American man and women. In the book “Call To Home: African Americans Reclaim The Rural South , Carol Stack tells the story of a little-known yet compelling reverse migration of “half of million African Americans from the cities of the north”, who heard a call to come back to the rural south, the home the once new and loved. Cleverly understanding the terrain of Carolina towns she calls Burdys Bend, New Jericho and Rosedale. Stack does and excellent job of linking a great human story with the “larger economic and social analysis of migration, families and poverty”.
It was a time of “Separate, but Equal”. With these dreary times, the African American community somehow found an outlet for their frustrations. They did this through poetry and music. Langston Hughes is one of the most famous poets of the Harlem Renaissance. He wrote many poems describing the plight of the black man of the time.
To start, Hughie lived in the townhouse right next door to mine, at 20 East 127th Street. During the Harlem Renaissance, life there had its goods and bad. It was generally cramped, thousands of African Americans migrated to New York's Harlem district, but there wasn't nearly enough room for them. But the reason so many people went was because Harlem was becoming a mecca for African American intellectualism and self-determination. People like Hughie and I, who came to express our interest in poetry, publish them, show our talent but most of all inspire others.
His dreams are gone, they have “festered like a sore” (4) as time has passed him by, and all he has left are the memories of the ideas he never followed through on. You can feel the weight of this, as is sags in the air between you. Hughes opens and closes this piece with a question. At the end, he asks us “or does it explode?” (11) As I read these lines, leading up to this question, I can see the Harlem of forgotten dreams. The boarded up storefronts, the “Going out of business” signs, and I can feel the anger.
Of the many African American authors during this significant time period was Claude McKay. According to “The Harlem Renaissance” by Richard Worth, McKay’s poems express the many angles of the black experience (39). Of his many poems, one of the most influential was his poem “Harlem Shadows.” In “Harlem Shadows,” McKay refers to society ignoring the fact that young African American girls are forced into prostitution: “Ah, stern harsh world, that in the wretched way of poverty, dishonor and disgrace, has pushed the timid little feet of clay, the sacred brown feet of my fallen race!”(McKay) Another literary piece written by McKay was his novel Home to Harlem. In this novel he described the everyday lives of Harlem residents and emphasized its music, lifestyles, etc. (Worth, 41).
Langston Hughes Analysis Langston Hughes is known for his writings during the Harlem Renaissance era. He is considered the most significant black writer of the twentieth century. During this time, African-Americans were expressing themselves in art, music, politics and education more deeply. Hughes is a poet, writer and playwright. He has published works ranging from various subjects such as racism to salvation.