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What Langston Hughes Said A Century Ago About Activism, Writing, and Determination
Ideas from a century ago that are relevant right now.
Now is a great time to reflect on and appreciate the lessons of Black artists. The life and words of Langston Hughes, a preeminent artist, activist, and writer of the early 20th century, are certainly applicable to us today.
Exactly 100 years ago in New York City, Black Americans were leading a cultural movement. It was a blossoming of intellectual, social, and artistic life centered around what is now called the Harlem Renaissance. To say that Langston Hughes was involved would be a gross understatement. Hughes was not only a central leader in the Harlem Renaissance but also a central voice for Black Americans everywhere.
Born in Joplin, Missouri in 1902, he moved to New York City as a young man and made a life for himself as a poet, novelist, playwright, and activist. He aimed to present, with transparency, both the challenges and triumphs of working-class black life. In doing so, he certainly faced harsh criticism.
Through the decades, he expressed powerful ideas regarding revolution, activism, and politics. He also had thoughts on art, the writing process, and going about life. The rest of this article discusses his lessons that can apply…
