The African-American Experience Langston Hughes was an American poet who was born in Joplin, Missouri in 1902. Langston Hughes was also an activist, playwright, and a columnist. Hughes played a large role in the Harlem Renaissance movement by utilizing the newest poetry form at the time, jazz poetry. Jazz poetry is poetry that is read with the accompaniment of background music, preferably jazz music. Hughes’ poems focused on what was happening in Harlem, the African-American communities, his background, possible change for the future, and the black man’s experience within America. “I, too, sing America”, “Mother to Son”, “Still Here”, and “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”, are all poems by Langston Hughes that contain similar themes because each
…show more content…
Despite America shaming African-Americans and inflicting poor treatment, Hughes aimed to empower his fellow people with poems. The tactic of mentioning where the ancestors of African-Americans had come from in “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”, shows how rich, mighty, and embracing the culture was. Hughes’ poems also focus on retaliating against the doubtful thinking of others or the “white man”. For example in “Mother to Son”, the mother reveals her trials and obstacles, however, in the end of the poem she begins to tell the son to aim for his goal. This poem is Langston Hughes telling the African-American people to continue striving for personal goals and to never let anyone deter their advancement in becoming successful. The tone of the poem is determination to become a successful African-American. “Still Here” refers to how life is precious and should never be taken for granted because everyone has a purpose. If an African-American faces problems pertaining to racism or general obstacles, he or she has the ability to overcome the trouble in order to focus on greatness. “I, too, Sing America” refers to the daily struggle of Langston Hughes, while revealing that he is also a native born American and should receive the same benefits as the white man. The poem also symbolizes how unfair treatment to an African-American man or woman can not hinder growth, but allows one to become determined to pass or defeat injustice. Each of the four poems had to deal with black excellence or Langston Hughes trying to motivate the African-American community to improve in order to stand up against
Despite America shaming African-Americans and inflicting poor treatment, Hughes aimed to empower his fellow people with poems. The tactic of mentioning where the ancestors of African-Americans had come from in “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”, shows how rich, mighty, and embracing the culture was. Hughes’ poems also focus on retaliating against the doubtful thinking of others or the “white man”. For example in “Mother to Son”, the mother reveals her trials and obstacles, however, in the end of the poem she begins to tell the son to aim for his goal. This poem is Langston Hughes telling the African-American people to continue striving for personal goals and to never let anyone deter their advancement in becoming successful. The tone of the poem is determination to become a successful African-American. “Still Here” refers to how life is precious and should never be taken for granted because everyone has a purpose. If an African-American faces problems pertaining to racism or general obstacles, he or she has the ability to overcome the trouble in order to focus on greatness. “I, too, Sing America” refers to the daily struggle of Langston Hughes, while revealing that he is also a native born American and should receive the same benefits as the white man. The poem also symbolizes how unfair treatment to an African-American man or woman can not hinder growth, but allows one to become determined to pass or defeat injustice. Each of the four poems had to deal with black excellence or Langston Hughes trying to motivate the African-American community to improve in order to stand up against