Individuality is something that should be embraced and celebrated. There are various colors and sizes among people for a reason. We are all meant to be unique. This uniqueness should never be the source of racism or hate. Unfortunately, this individuality has been the source of racial injustice and racial inequality for centuries. The effects of racism can be felt by individuals around the world. Langston Hughes’ poem, “Mother to Son”, and Countee Cullen’s poem, “Incident”, both address the issues of racism and the unfortunate consequences that it has had on their lives. Both of these poems were written in the mid 1920’s, and exude a tone of disappointment. The racism they have encountered throughout their lives is etched in their memories.
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It is very obvious that the mother in the poem is trying to warn her son that life as an African American individual is not easy. She describes the different hardships she has faced throughout her life by stating, “Well, Son, I’ll tell you: / Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. / It’s had tacks in it, / And splinters, / And boards torn up” (Hughes l. 1-5). Clearly, her life has not been one of ease and luxury. She has dealt with countless hardships at the hands of others, due simply to the color of her skin. No mother should ever have to tell their child about the racism they have been subject to, because it should not exist at all. She goes on to explain that even though their lives may be harder than most, they must preserver. She explains, “Don’t you set down on the steps / ‘Cause you finds it’s kinda hard. / Don’t you fall now- / For I’se still goin’, honey, / I’se still climbin’ / And life for me aint been no crystal stair” (Hughes l. 15-20). She does not want her son to give in when he is faced with racial prejudice and bigotry. She warns him that his life will not be easy, but he must keep going. She fought to create a better life for her son and she does not want to see him give it up when it gets challenging. It is beautiful to see how far a mother will go for her child. It is immensely clear that her love for her son has allowed her to keep going, and she wants to teach him the same …show more content…
In this poem, the narrator is experiencing a new city for a first time. He is filled with hope and excitement, unaware of the harsh racism that he will experience on this trip. As the poem progresses, the narrator’s tone changes as he is exposed to savage racist remarks. He explains, “And so I smiled, but he poked out / His tongue and called me, ‘Nigger.’ / I saw a while of Baltimore / From May until December: / Of all the things that happened there / That’s all that I remember” (Cullens l. 7-12). He was so hopeful and happy when he first arrived in Baltimore. Much to his disappointment, the racism he went on to encounter ruined his trip. Of all the things he experienced in the city, the hatred was all he could remember. It is clear that racism has a lasting effect on the people subject to it. His disappointment in the racial prejudice present in Baltimore is clearly
It is very obvious that the mother in the poem is trying to warn her son that life as an African American individual is not easy. She describes the different hardships she has faced throughout her life by stating, “Well, Son, I’ll tell you: / Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. / It’s had tacks in it, / And splinters, / And boards torn up” (Hughes l. 1-5). Clearly, her life has not been one of ease and luxury. She has dealt with countless hardships at the hands of others, due simply to the color of her skin. No mother should ever have to tell their child about the racism they have been subject to, because it should not exist at all. She goes on to explain that even though their lives may be harder than most, they must preserver. She explains, “Don’t you set down on the steps / ‘Cause you finds it’s kinda hard. / Don’t you fall now- / For I’se still goin’, honey, / I’se still climbin’ / And life for me aint been no crystal stair” (Hughes l. 15-20). She does not want her son to give in when he is faced with racial prejudice and bigotry. She warns him that his life will not be easy, but he must keep going. She fought to create a better life for her son and she does not want to see him give it up when it gets challenging. It is beautiful to see how far a mother will go for her child. It is immensely clear that her love for her son has allowed her to keep going, and she wants to teach him the same …show more content…
In this poem, the narrator is experiencing a new city for a first time. He is filled with hope and excitement, unaware of the harsh racism that he will experience on this trip. As the poem progresses, the narrator’s tone changes as he is exposed to savage racist remarks. He explains, “And so I smiled, but he poked out / His tongue and called me, ‘Nigger.’ / I saw a while of Baltimore / From May until December: / Of all the things that happened there / That’s all that I remember” (Cullens l. 7-12). He was so hopeful and happy when he first arrived in Baltimore. Much to his disappointment, the racism he went on to encounter ruined his trip. Of all the things he experienced in the city, the hatred was all he could remember. It is clear that racism has a lasting effect on the people subject to it. His disappointment in the racial prejudice present in Baltimore is clearly