Dominque Cowan

Langston Hughes (1902-1967)
Poet, novelist, playwright, essayist

In his explorations of race, social justice, and African-American culture and art, Hughes' writing vividly captures the political, social, and artistic climates of Harlem in the 1920s and 1930s. After a transitory adolescence, Hughes moved to Harlem in 1926, where he worked with and befriended such artists, writers, and scholars as Aaron Douglas, Countee Cullen, and Alain Locke. Infused and inspired by the jazz and blues that surrounded him at hot spots such as the Savoy Ballroom, Hughes weaved the rhythms of contemporary music into his poems. Often his writing riffed on the energy of life in Harlem itself.

Langston Hughes was known for the use of jazz and black folk rhythm in his poetry.

"Hughes had pride in his black heritage, strong political beliefs, and the will to survive in a society where racial equality had to be fought for" (Chow 1). Hughes conveyed ideas of strength and determination to believe in a better future. Langston Hughes innovated voice influenced many black writers.

Merry-Go-Round
Colored child at carnival:
Where is the Jim Crow section
On this merry-go-round,
Mister, Cause I want to ride?
Down South where I come from
White and colored
Can't sit side by side.
Down South on the train
There's a Jim Crow Car.
On the bus we're putin the back--
But there ain't no back
To a merry-go-round!
Where's the horse
For a kid that's black?