Langston Hughes: American Poet and Social Activist

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Langston Hughes inspired others to reach their true potential in their work by using their own life as a catalyst: “You will find the world in your own eyes, if they learn how to see; in your own heart if it learns how to feel; and in your own fingers if they learn how to touch.” (Dunham 188). Langston Hughes was an influential leader toward many African American men, woman, and children in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Langston Hughes may not be as well-known for the civil rights movement as Martin Luther King Jr. was, but Hughes was capable of placing an everlasting impact on black culture during this period of civil rights unrest in the United States. Martin Luther King Jr. was an advocate for allowing the rights of African American people to have the same privileges and opportunities as the whites did, similarly, Langston Hughes portrayed this desire for social change through his writings and other works. He played an immeasurable role in the Harlem Renaissance period, and was looked up to by many writers as a voice to their own experiences. Hughes used everyday people and their everyday life struggles as a theme in his writings in order to touch the readers he had acquired. It is said that Langston Hughes was known as a legacy when it came to inspiring others to express themselves artistically. This legacy included: singing, writing, painting, or drawing. Langston Hughes was a master artistically, and enjoyed showing his passion for the arts to his fellow people. Langston was well known for the way he used art as motivation for social change in the United States. Langston Hughes focused many of his poems of the importance of African Americans, their culture, and the emotion blacks felt during the age of racism in the United State... ... middle of paper ... ...ween people with his poetry. He believed being honest and realistic was able to break many barriers that existed among people in the era where communism and racism flooded the United States. Hughes received numerous awards throughout his life, and several important structures have been dedicated to Langston Hughes in honor of his life and to celebrate his lasting impression. Hughes’ impression on Harlem is everlasting as well. Hughes will forever be known as the Father of the Harlem Renaissance. Works Cited Dunham, Montrew, and Robert Doremus. Langston Hughes: Young Black Poet. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1995. Print. "Harlem Project Langston Hughes." Harlem Project Langston Hughes. Albany College, n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2014. Hughes, Langston, and Susan Duffy. The Political Plays of Langston Hughes. Carbondale: Southern Illinois UP, 2000. Print.

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