James Mercer Langston Hughes was born February 1, 1901 and died May 22, 1967. Better known as #LangstonHughes, Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from #Joplin, #Missouri.
Hughes was of the earliest innovators of jazz poetry, and is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. Langston famously wrote about the period “when Harlem was in vogue.”
Growing-up in the Midwestern, Hughes was always working toward being a prolific writer, and gained attention at a young age. Hughes moved to New York City as a young man, where he made his career studying at Columbia University in New York City.
Although Langston dropped-out, he gained notice from New York publishers, first in The Crisis magazine. Then Hughes gained notice from book publishers, and became known in the creative community in Harlem.
In addition to poetry, Hughes wrote plays and short stories. He also published several nonfiction works. From 1942 to 1962, as the civil rights movement gained traction, Langston wrote an in-depth weekly column in a leading black newspaper, #TheChicagoDefender.
Hughes was under constant scrutiny throughout his professional life due to his political views, and a routine target of the Government ala McCarthy’s #RedScare.
Hughes also spoke out against African-American involvement in the US Armed Forces, and various military conflicts (largely) due to #JimCrowLaws being predominantly in vogue in the U.S. South.
Langston Hughes and his work will always stand the test of time, and another noteworthy activist for African-American, and Human rights.
#ATIpodcast includes Langston Hughes in our month long discussion in observance of #blackhistorymonth.
- @bearyinsane
#supportblackartists #blackhistory #blackrightarehumanrights #Harlem #harlemrenaissance #allthingsinsane #allthingsinsanepodcast #edawsend #waxingonwithrandj #podcastersofinstagram #podcast