Understanding Blackness and Identity in Langston Hughes's Poetry of Presence

Introduction

• Langston Hughes (1902-1967): African American poet, dramatist, novelist.
• Part of the Harlem Renaissance: Black Art movement in 1920s-1930s New York.
• His work centers on themes of race and identity of African Americans.
• Key Poems: "I, Too" and "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" express Black identity and cultural presence.

Analyzing Blackness and Identity

• Hughes's poetry as a "poetry of presence" - deconstructs themes of oppression, enslavement, and violence.
• Draws on Stuart Hall, Frantz Fanon, Achille Mbembe:
  • Hall (2011): Identity as fluid, shaped by cultural shifts.
  • Fanon (2008): Importance of language for Black identity.
  • Mbembe (2017): Historical impact of racial domination.

Historical Context

• Jim Crow Laws: Segregation laws in the Southern U.S. (1877-1965).
• The New Negro (1925): Book marking a cultural shift towards racial pride.
• Harlem Renaissance: Emphasis on Black culture and consciousness.

Themes in Hughes's Poetry

• Freedom and Identity:
  • Highlighted in "Refugee in America", "Afro-American Fragment".
  • A reflection on the African American experience and cultural dislocation.
• Resistance and Black Identity:
  • Poems emphasize the resilience and identity of African Americans.
  • "Negro" and "Afro-American Fragment" explore themes of memory and belonging.

Language and Cultural Identity

• Language as a tool of identity: Balancing African cultural roots with American experiences.
• Gayatri Spivak's Theory: Intellectuals should amplify marginalized voices.
• Hughes's Poetry: Reimagines Black identity using jazz and blues rhythmic influences.

Key Poems and Their Messages

• "I, Too": Asserts Black presence in American culture, challenging racial exclusion.
• "The Negro Speaks of Rivers": Historical and cultural depth of Black experiences.
• "Democracy": Call for equal rights and recognition within American society.

Conclusion

• Hughes uses poetry to awaken Black community pride and reclaim cultural memory.
• His poetic voice serves as a symbol of resistance and cultural identity.
• Hughes's work emphasizes the connection between African roots and African American identity.

References

• Bernard, P., Bloom, H., Candau, J., Fanon, F., Gray, R., Hall, S., Hughes, L., Mbembe, A., Patterson, A., Spivak, G., Tischauser, L. V.