Langston Hughe's Works

Hughes's poetry, characterized by its rhythmic language and vivid imagery, celebrated the beauty and resilience of black culture while also critiquing the systemic racism and inequality prevalent in society. Some of his notable works include "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," "Montage of a Dream Deferred," and "The Weary Blues," which won him critical acclaim. Apart from his poetic contributions, Hughes wrote essays, plays, and novels that further explored the African American experience. His career was not only a literary journey but also a dedicated effort to challenge and transform societal norms, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire generations. Langston Hughes passed away on May 22, 1967, but his impact on literature and activism remains imprinted in the cultural landscape of America.

Jazz Poetry

Langston Hughes was never far from jazz. He listened to it at nightclubs, collaborated with musicians, often held readings accompanied by jazz combos, and even wrote a children's book called The First Book of Jazz. For Hughes, jazz was a way of life. Hughes considered jazz a vocal proponent of racial consciousness, and believed jazz and the blues to be uniquely African-American art forms, rejoicing in black heritage and creativity. Rather than wish away daily hardship, the blues instead elevated the troubles of the workaday African American into art.