How Did Langston Hughes Affect The Harlem Renaissance

Langston Hughes and The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a defining moment in American cultural history, when Black writers, musicians, and artists emerged as prominent voices in the artistic and intellectual scene of the 1920s and 1930s. This movement was a response to the widespread racism and discrimination that African Americans faced in the U.S., particularly in the South. One of the most celebrated figures of the Harlem Renaissance was Langston Hughes, whose poetry captured the spirit and struggles of African American life. In this research paper, I will argue that Langston Hughes's poetry about African American identity changed over the course of the Harlem Renaissance from portraying Black pride to exploring the challenges

Leach, the author offers valuable insights into the early life of Langston Hughes, showcasing the experiences that shaped the prominent writer. According to Leach, Hughes was born in 1902 in Missouri on a wintry night, growing up feeling disconnected from his parents. His father, James, left for Mexico for work when Hughes was less than a year old, while his mother, Carrie, frequently left him in the care of his grandmother as she sought employment elsewhere (Leach 1). Leach emphasizes the impact of this solitary childhood on Hughes's development and later literary work. Hughes's grandmother, Mary Sampson Patterson Leary Langston, shared stories of their ancestors' resilience and resistance, instilling in him a sense of racial pride. These ancestral tales found their way into Hughes's poetry, as exemplified in his early piece, "Aunt Sue's Stories" (Leach 3). Additionally, Hughes encountered racial segregation during his early years of schooling, further influencing his identity and sparking his passion for writing. Moving between segregated and integrated schools, Hughes faced racial prejudice from teachers and classmates alike (Leach 4). By the age of 13, Hughes felt isolated and abandoned, not only by his absent parents but even by his faith (Leach 4). Leach argues that Hughes' feeling of being abandoned played a role in his self-reliance persona and led him to have complex

The author states, "Harlem was fast becoming the cultural center of black America" (Leach 15). The statement serves as evidence of the early influence Harlem had on Hughes, shaping not just his identity but also his literary style. The author suggests that Harlem represented a strong cultural pride and aspiration for African Americans, and Hughes was no exception. His longing for Harlem echoes through his poems, like "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," where he connects his personal experiences to the broader black experience, hence, elevating Harlem's symbolism in his work. Furthermore, Hughes' struggle with Columbia University’s discriminatory practices and his father’s unending financial criticism are highlighted. The author narrates, "Even though he had broken the color line by living in the dormitory, he found it hard to mingle socially with his fellow students" (Leach 16-17). This underlines the challenges Hughes faced due to racial segregation, even in supposedly progressive educational institutions. His father's constant financial criticism and lack of appreciation for Hughes' talent further contributed to his distress. Eventually, he worked as a Messman on a stationary ship which may have seemed an obstacle, but it provided him with time to write, producing some of his greatest works during this period of the notable "The Weary Blues." This underlines Hughes' relentless