Home/Recent kwiples > People >

Langston Hughes

Thursday 25th of April 2024

American Dream What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore — And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over — like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode? “Harlem [2]” by Langston Hughes © 2017 Kwiple.com
The arts To make words sing Is a wonderful thing — Because in a song Words last so long. “To Make Words Sing” by Langston Hughes © 2017 Kwiple.com
Democracy Cause everything that hitler And mussolini do, Negroes get the same Treatment from you. You jim crowed me Before hitler rose to power — And you're STILL jim crowing me Right now, this very hour. You say we're fighting For democracy. Then why don't democracy Include me? from “Beaumont to Detroit: 1943” by Langston Hughes, addressing America during World War II © 2017 Kwiple.com
Freedom I tire of hearing people say, Let things take their course. Tomorrow is another day. I do not need freedom when I'm dead. I cannot live on tomorrow's bread. from “Freedom [1]” by Langston Hughes © 2017 Kwiple.com
Freedom Looks like by now Folks ought to know It's hard to beat Hitler Protecting Jim Crow. Freedom's not just To be won Over There. It means Freedom at home, too — Now — right here! from “How About It, Dixie” by Langston Hughes © 2017 Kwiple.com
God God slumbers in a back alley With a gin bottle in His hand. Come on, God, get up and fight Like a man. “A Christian Country” by Langston Hughes © 2017 Kwiple.com
Housing I wish the rent Was heaven sent. from “Aspiration” by Langston Hughes © 2017 Kwiple.com
Justice That Justice is a blind goddess Is a thing to which we black are wise. Her bandage hides two festering sores That once perhaps were eyes. “Justice” by Langston Hughes © 2017 Kwiple.com
Public discourse I could tell you, If I wanted to, What makes me What I am. But I don't Really want to — And you don't Give a damn. “Impasse” by Langston Hughes © 2017 Kwiple.com
Race My old man's a white old man And my old mother's black. If ever I cursed my white old man I take my curses back. If ever I cursed my black old mother And wished she were in hell, I'm sorry for that evil wish And now I wish her well. My old man died in a fine big house. My ma died in a shack. I wonder where I'm gonna die, Being neither white nor black? “Cross” by Langston Hughes © 2017 Kwiple.com
Religion It would be too bad if Jesus Were to come back black. There are so many churches Where he could not pray In the U.S.A., Where entrance to Negroes, No matter how sanctified, Is denied, Where race, not religion, Is glorified. But say it — You  may be Crucified. “Bible Belt” by Langston Hughes © 2017 Kwiple.com
Segregation Pearl Harbor put Jim Crow on the run. That Crow can't fly for Democracy And be the same old Crow he used to be — Although right now, even yet today, He still tries to act in the same old way. But India and China and Harlem, too, Have made up their minds Jim Crow is through. from “Jim Crow's Last Stand” by Langston Hughes © 2017 Kwiple.com
Wealth inequality I don't know why They're so hard on me and you? We don't do nothing in the jook joints Rich folks don't do. But the rich folks have clubs And licenses and such. Only trouble is, we Can't afford that much. “Puzzlement” by Langston Hughes © 2017 Kwiple.com
 
World War II You jim crowed me Before hitler rose to power — And you're STILL jim crowing me Right now this very hour Yet you say we're fighting For democracy. Then why don't democracy Include me? I ask you this question Cause I want to know How long I got to fight BOTH HITLER — AND JIM CROW. from “Beaumont to Detroit: 1943” by Langston Hughes © 2017 Kwiple.com