Identity in the Poetry of Langston Hughes
Search for Identity in the Poetry of Langston Hughes
In exploring the problem of identity in Black literature we find no simple or definite explanation. Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that it is rooted in the reality of the discriminatory social system in America with its historic origins in the institution of slavery. One can discern that this slavery system imposes a double burden on the Negro through severe social and economic inequalities and through the heavy psychological consequences suffered by the Negro who is forced to play an inferior role, 1 the latter relates to the low self-estimate, feeling of helplessness and basic identity conflict. Thus, in some form or the other, every Negro American is confronted with the question of `where he is' in the prevailing white society. The problem of Negro identity has various dimensions like the colour, community and class.
The inescapable reality of the Negro existence in America is colour which is inherent in the concept of self, manifest in race-consciousness.2 This is significant because a Negro establishes his identity with other individuals, known or unknown, on the basis of a similarity of colour and features, thus making his racial group membership the nexus of his self identity.3 In 1915, the Association for the study of Negro life and history made special endeavours to convince the Negroes that they could never acquire respectability in society if they despised their history and looked upon themselves as inferior. It was felt that "the American Negro must remake its past in order to make his future."4
After the Negro began to search his identity in the glorious past-his heritage and his folk tradition, he began to feel proud of his black wholesome colour. Langston Hughes has been given the credit for nourishing the black sensibility and inspiring it to create Afro-American literature and transforming it into a literature of struggle.5 Commonly known as the `Poet Laureate
In exploring the problem of identity in Black literature we find no simple or definite explanation. Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that it is rooted in the reality of the discriminatory social system in America with its historic origins in the institution of slavery. One can discern that this slavery system imposes a double burden on the Negro through severe social and economic inequalities and through the heavy psychological consequences suffered by the Negro who is forced to play an inferior role, 1 the latter relates to the low self-estimate, feeling of helplessness and basic identity conflict. Thus, in some form or the other, every Negro American is confronted with the question of `where he is' in the prevailing white society. The problem of Negro identity has various dimensions like the colour, community and class.
The inescapable reality of the Negro existence in America is colour which is inherent in the concept of self, manifest in race-consciousness.2 This is significant because a Negro establishes his identity with other individuals, known or unknown, on the basis of a similarity of colour and features, thus making his racial group membership the nexus of his self identity.3 In 1915, the Association for the study of Negro life and history made special endeavours to convince the Negroes that they could never acquire respectability in society if they despised their history and looked upon themselves as inferior. It was felt that "the American Negro must remake its past in order to make his future."4
After the Negro began to search his identity in the glorious past-his heritage and his folk tradition, he began to feel proud of his black wholesome colour. Langston Hughes has been given the credit for nourishing the black sensibility and inspiring it to create Afro-American literature and transforming it into a literature of struggle.5 Commonly known as the `Poet Laureate
References: <li value="1"> Saunders Redding, "The Black Revolution in American Studies", American Studies (Autumn 1970), Vol <li value="2"> Georgene Seward, Psychotherapy and Culture Conflict (New York: Ronald Press, 1956), p <li value="3"> "Brother", Selected Poems of Langston Hughes (New York: Alfred & Knopf, 1979), p <li value="5"> Jay Saunders Redding, To Make a poet Black (Washington: McGrath, 1969), p <li value="6"> James A. Emanuel, Langston Hughes (New Haven: College and University Press, 1967), pp <li value="7"> W.E.B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk (New York: New American Library, 1969), p University Press, 1976), p. 78. <li value="9"> The Nation, Vol. CXII, No. 3181, June 23, 1926, pp. <li value="19"> Langston Hughes, "New Song", A New Song (New York: International Workers Order, 1938), p <li value="20"> Langston Hughes, "The Black Man Speaks", Jim Crow 's Last Stand (Atlanta: Negro Publication Society, 1943), p <li value="21"> Langston Hughes, "Freedom," Jim Crow 's Last Stand (Atlanta: Negro Publication Society, 1943), p