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 Langston
Hughes was a famous African-American writer and poet. Hughes was one of the
most important writers of the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem
Renaissance was the African-American artistic movement in the 1920s that
celebrated black life and
culture. Hughes had a strong
sense of pride as an African-American.
Throughout his life, Hughes celebrated African-American culture and
spirituality.
Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902 in Missouri. His early
years were not very happy. His parents separated when he was very
young. His father moved to Mexico. And his mother left him for a long
time to find a job. Hughes’ grandmother raised him in Kansas until
he was 12. Later, he moved to Illinois to live with his mother and
stepfather.
His unhappy childhood made him respect the poor who worked
hard and had a strong sense of pride. Hughes expressed these feelings in his poetry. He started writing
poetry in high school. Hughes spent the summers of 1919 and 1920 with
his father in Mexico. While on a train on his second trip, he wrote
his first great poem, “The Negro Speaks of
Rivers.” The poem was published in a magazine called The Crisis.
 Langston
Hughes continued to write about the people, places and events around
him. Especially, hard-working poor people
had a lot of influence on his poetry. He called the poor people “low-down
folks.” Hughes used this expression as a form of praise. He admired these people a lot.
Langston Hughes used his art to get across his feelings about
politics and injustice. His books helped
shape American literature and politics.
Through his poetry, novels, essays, and children’s books,
Hughes promoted equality. He also traveled
to other countries to learn how they dealt with racial issues.
Throughout his life, Hughes wrote countless poems, novels, and short
stories. And he touched the lives of so many
people through his wonderful poetry. Langston Hughes passed away on
May 22, 1967. |
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