Harlem Renaissance and Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes

By Dana Dupont

According to the text, why did Langston Hughes begin writing?

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James Langston Huges was born in Missouri on February 1, 1902 to parents who were both mixed-race. Both of his father's grandmothers were African American, and both of his father's grandfather's were white. ​Langston's parents separated shortly after he was born, and his childhood was spent in the care of family members where he often felt abandoned. In an attempt to deal with his loneliness in middle school, Langston Hughes began to write poetry. He was a frequent visitor to the local library where he believed in books more than people. While attending high school, Langston was active in many extra curricular activities. Realizing he couldn't depend on his parents for financial support, he began to work and save money for college.

Multiple Choice

According to the text, why did Langston Hughes begin writing?

• He was lonely.

• He was creative.

• He was in highschool.

• He became a lawyer.

​Langston Hughes

​Harlem, New York in the 1920's was the largest and most influential black community in the United States, dedicated to promoting equality, which is often referred to as the Harlem Renaissance. In 1921, Hughes was accepted to Columbia University, but he felt frustrated due to the prejudices of his white peers. His grades began to suffer and finally he quit to look for a job. Hughes loaded his car with books and headed to the south for a poetry reading tour. He was one of the earliest innovators of the new form of poetry called jazz poetry. He had never seen the south and hoped it would help him relate to his southern black audience. His writing became a source of inspiration for blacks who lived in the most racially tense area of the country.

Fill in the Blank

The ______ Renaissance in the 1920's was a time where the black artists from all over the United States gathered in Harlem to celebrate their culture. Because of the Harlem Renaissance, black culture was slowly integrating iinto white communities.

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Read Hughes' jingle, and choose the answer that best explains it.

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During World War II in 1942, Hughes was called to serve on the Writer's War Board. Hughes wrote jingles to inspire the troops as well as to fight segregation such as, "Looks like by now, Folds ought to know, It's hard to beat Hitler, Protecting Jim Crow." Because of his publicity, Hughes became a familiar name in many American households.

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Multiple Choice

Read Hughes' jingle, and choose the answer that best explains it.

"Looks like by now, Folds ought to know, It's hard to beat Hitler, Protecting Jim Crow."

• It must be hard for Whites to fight to end racism abroad while protecting it at home.

• Jim Crow laws protect segregation, and Hitler is a racist who is trying to eliminate an entire race of people.

​Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes received several honorary doctorates and there is also a creative writing award named in his honor for distinguished writing by an African American. He died from cancer in 1967, and after his death, the city of New York bought his home and preserved it as a historic landmark renaming it Langston Hughes Place. In 2002, The United States Postal Service added Langston Hughes to its series of postage stamps honoring distinguished African Americans. Langston Hughes is one of the best know writers in the United States.

Poll

If someone asked you, "Who is Langston Hughes," could you answer with details?

• Yes

• Maybe

• Not really

• no =