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Essay / here the crucible. A phrase used by many and often said with pride. We Americans like to think of ourselves as accepting and welcoming of everyone, and while that may be true in general, discrimination still exists throughout the country. Fortunately, racism decreased significantly thanks to the civil rights movement. Every American can now express who they are without major fear of contempt or prejudice. Before the civil rights movement, racism was endemic, particularly in the South. The Harlem Renaissance, which took place throughout the 1920s, helped spur the civil rights movement. It was during this time that African Americans really began to advance in society. Langston Hughes is a successful poet of this era. Two of his well-known poems, "Theme for English B" and "I Too America", should be recognized for expressing the common thoughts and ideals of African Americans of the time facing racial segregation . In “Theme for English B,” Hughes shows the reader that despite the boundaries drawn by society, he is an American and a part of his fellow man, even though there may be physical differences. “Yet I am part of me, as I am part of you. It's American. Hughes does a wonderful job in his two plays depicting the racism of the time. It shows that no matter your origins, you are equal to those around you. Hughes begins "Theme for English B" with a sort of biographical feel, place of birth is mentioned and his schooling, but the meaning of the poem deepens as you read. . Hughes starts off pretty strong with “I wonder if it’s that simple?” (“Theme B” 6). His use of a question so early on lets the reader know that his poem is more than just a show. He wants you to think. ...... middle of paper ...... the art of Langston Hughes' poem, "I, Too, America Sings," is also the use of the word. It also shows that Hughes and other African Americans are just as much American as anyone else. Not everyone gets to say they are a part of something with such conviction. Hughes, through two short works, showed the injustice that reigned at the time in America. His writings bear witness to an era that America looks back on today with great shame. These well-written poems give hope to those who read them and enlighten those who read them now. Hughes crosses societal boundaries to declare, “I, too, am America” (“Me Too” 17). Works Cited Hughes, Langston. Literature “Theme for English B”: a portable anthology. Ed. Janet E. Gardner et al. 2nd ed. Boston: Bedford, 2009. 575-576. Print. Hughes, Langston. “I too sing about America.” Poetry Foundation.1994. February 20, 2014. Web.
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