Mendoza

Mila Mendoza
Adv. English 1 Block C
Ms. Hunnewell
28 Oct 2015
689 Words
Langston Hughes Reflects His Times
Today, most people in the United States are talking about the 2016 American election and
how it will impact their lives. The election frenzy is not a first time event; throughout history,
writers, journalists, and poets have spoken about the effects of their political environment. One
poet in particular, Langston Hughes, commented on significant happenings of his time, including
the oppression of African Americans. Injustices and racism were ubiquitous during this time
period and impacted Langston Hughes as revealed through his writings. His social standings are
reflected in the context, titles, and tone used.
That Hughes lived from 1902 until 1967 as an African-American already suggests he may
not have experienced true equality, but what further suggests-and outright declares- his lack of
equality is his poetry. The 1896 Court case Plessy vs Ferguson introduced the concept separate
but equal (Plessy v. Ferguson) which implemented segregation: a ridiculous separation between
colored and whites. In Justice, Hughes concludes that blacks need to be wary of the Two
festering sores / That once perhaps were eyes (Hughes 3-4) behind Lady Justices blindfold (to
symbolize impartiality) as he recognizes that the American judicial system may have once been
fair, but became racist. Showing how disturbingly normal oppression to blacks became, he talks
as a confused child; wondering where to sit as there is no back to a merry-go-round, so there is

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no definite Jim Crow section (Crazies). Equality appears so foreign to the child that he becomes
confused by the concept.
The titles alone of several of Hughes pieces reveal the frustrations of being a minority.
Oppression never states the black man is the subject; this ambiguity is the beauty often found in
Hughess poems. He most likely narrated from the perspective of an African-American, but the
hazy reference makes the poem additionally relatable to people in other situations. Living
through both World Wars, the Great Depression, and intrinsically being a black man provides a
spectrum of inspiration in why he would want to Let America be America Again. Early in his
career, Harlem thrived with culture: [Harlem] became the center of the Harlem Renaissance, a
major creative explosion in music, literature, and art that occurred during the 1910s and 1920s
(Langston Summary). He names one of his most famous poems after the mostly black city but
the poem is alternately known as Dreams Deferred. According to bachelorandmaster.com, the
poems context reflects how blacks felt after all the nations hardships ended (Great Depression,
WWII) and the struggles of their race did not (Harlem: Langston Hughes). Hughes manipulates
elements such as titles to demonstrate his aggressions, and uses other parts of the poems as well.
Hughes successfully uses a quiet, almost background tone to protest the injustices in his
world. That Hughes uses a subliminal tone allows his poems to create a craving for change in the
reader rather than harsh disappointment or frustration. As shown in I, Too, Hughes holds the
power to bash America and relates, They send me to eat in the kitchen / When company
comes, expressing his disgust, but also his hope that Tomorrow, / Ill sit at the table (Hughes
3-4, 7-8). The poet understands the need for reform in society, and through his hopeful tone,
helps the reader to expect change. Although he experienced racism in his life, his expectant tone
suggests steps being taken for equality. Hughes died only a few years after segregation ended,

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but he must have sensed the progress being made. His optimistic spirit indicates advances
towards fair treatment.

The poetry of Langston Hughes is a vivid example of the impact of ones political and
social environment on his or her writings. Racism and related injustices were prevalent during
the poets lifetime and he confronts them through his poetry. Hughes uses aspects of poetry
including the context, title, and tone to communicate the issues of his time. Current events and
social ideals can affect a writers work, and did greatly in the poems of Langston Hughes.
Hughes not only spoke about the issues but exposed the pain of the black community and his
personal hopes to one day heal as a people.

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Bibliography
Cleaveland Crazies. Merry-go-round by LH Prezi.com. Prezi Inc. 24 May 2013. Web. 26 Oct.
2015
Foner, Eric. "Plessy v. Ferguson." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
Hughes, Langston. Oppression. N.A., n. d., Web. 25 Oct. 2015
Hughes, Langston. "Merry-Go-Round - A Poem by Langston Hughes American Poems."
American Poems - YOUR Poetry Site. Gunnar Bengtsson, n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2015.
Hughes, Langston. "Justice Poem." Poemhunter.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct.
2015.
Hughes, Langston. Let America be America Again. Poems.org n.p., n.d. Web 26 Oct. 2015
"Harlem: Langston Hughes - Summary and Critical Analysis."
Bachelorandmaster.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Langston Hughes: Poems Themes." Gradesaver.com. Gradesaver LLC, n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
Langston Hughes: Poems Summary and Analysis of "Harlem"" Gradesaver.com. Gradesaver
LLC, n.d. Web.