There are certain very practical things American Negro writers can do. And must do. There's a song that says, "the time ain't long." That song is right. Something has got to change in America-and change soon. We must help that change to come.
Langston Hughes
Writing, Activism, Social Change, Racial Justice, Artistic Responsibility
Langston Hughes’s Quotes On Topics
Artistic Survival | Social Responsibility | Action | Encouragement | Comfort | Social Interaction | Race Relations | Hypocrisy | Racial Divide | Art | Education | Social Observation | Financial Struggle | Existential Reflection | Personification | Cultural Identity | Social Critique | Minorities | Gender | Racial Commentary | More
More Langston Hughes Quotes
“Bartender, tell this man to vacate my person.” Langston Hughes
Confrontation, Identity, Social Interaction, Assertiveness, Humor
Langston Hughes Confrontation, Identity, Social Interaction, Assertiveness, Humor“If you want to honor me, give some young boy or girl who's coming along trying to create arts and write and compose and sing and act and paint and dance and make something out of the beauties of the Negro race-give that child some help.” Langston Hughes
Legacy, Art, Youth, Racial Pride, Support For Creativity
Langston Hughes Legacy, Art, Youth, Racial Pride, Support For Creativity“When peoples care for you and cry for you, they can straighten out your soul.” Langston Hughes
Support, Human Connection, Empathy, Emotional Healing, Community
Langston Hughes Support, Human Connection, Empathy, Emotional Healing, Community“It were depression, too. They cut my wages down once at the foundry. They cut my wages down again. Then they cut my wages out, also the job.” Langston Hughes
Great Depression, Economic Hardship, Labor, Unemployment, Social Commentary
Langston Hughes Great Depression, Economic Hardship, Labor, Unemployment, Social Commentary“Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be.” Langston Hughes
America, Idealism, Social Criticism, National Identity, Hope
Langston Hughes America, Idealism, Social Criticism, National Identity, Hope“Love is a naked shadow, On a gnarled and naked tree.” Langston Hughes
Love, Nature, Metaphor, Vulnerability, Poetic Imagery
Langston Hughes Love, Nature, Metaphor, Vulnerability, Poetic Imagery“I got the Weary Blues And I can't be satisfied.” Langston Hughes
Blues, Music, Emotion, African American, Cultural Expression
Langston Hughes Blues, Music, Emotion, African American, Cultural Expression“I am the American heartbreak- The rock on which Freedom Stumped its toe.” Langston Hughes
American Identity, Freedom, Social Injustice, Metaphor, Civil Rights
Langston Hughes American Identity, Freedom, Social Injustice, Metaphor, Civil Rights“Gather quickly Out of darkness All the songs you know And throw them at the sun Before they melt Like snow.” Langston Hughes
Creativity, Urgency, Music, Metaphor, Inspiration
Langston Hughes Creativity, Urgency, Music, Metaphor, Inspiration“It’s such a Bore Being always Poor.” Langston Hughes
Poverty, Frustration, Social Commentary, Economic Struggle, Human Condition
Langston Hughes Poverty, Frustration, Social Commentary, Economic Struggle, Human Condition“Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed – Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man be crushed by one above.” Langston Hughes
America, Idealism, Equality, Social Justice, National Identity
Langston Hughes America, Idealism, Equality, Social Justice, National Identity“Once, when I were a child, I were kicked by a small mule. Neither the mule nor I had any sense. I were trying to make the mule go one way, but the mule was trying to make me go another. I were for hitching the mule onto a plow. The mule were for nibbling grass. So, after that kicking, I learned right then and there to respect animals and peoples when they are not of the same mind as you are.” Langston Hughes
Lesson, Respect, Childhood, Animal Wisdom, Personal Growth
Langston Hughes Lesson, Respect, Childhood, Animal Wisdom, Personal Growth“The first of the month falls every month, too, North or South. And them white folks who sends bills never forgets to send them-the phone bill, the furniture bill, the water bill, the gas bill, insurance, house rent.” Langston Hughes
Capitalism, Inequality, Socio-economic Reality, Social Commentary, Financial Responsibility
Langston Hughes Capitalism, Inequality, Socio-economic Reality, Social Commentary, Financial Responsibility“As for reading books, even far-out books, even beatnik books, fine. Only there are not enough books for me down South, which is one reason I came to New York.” Langston Hughes
Reading, Literature, Cultural Access, Migration, Intellectual Freedom
Langston Hughes Reading, Literature, Cultural Access, Migration, Intellectual Freedom“Harriet Tubman lived to see the harvest.” Langston Hughes
Civil Rights, Historical Figures, Progress, Emancipation, African American History
Langston Hughes Civil Rights, Historical Figures, Progress, Emancipation, African American History“Open your heart, and life will provide unlimited abundance.” Langston Hughes
Hope, Optimism, Spirituality, Personal Growth, Inner Wisdom
Langston Hughes Hope, Optimism, Spirituality, Personal Growth, Inner Wisdom“Out of love, No regrets – Though the goodness Be wasted forever. Out of love, No regrets – Though the return Be never.” Langston Hughes
Love, Selflessness, Sacrifice, Emotional Resilience, Philosophical Reflection
Langston Hughes Love, Selflessness, Sacrifice, Emotional Resilience, Philosophical Reflection“I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother.” Langston Hughes
Identity, Patriotism, Racial Equality, Defiance, Poetic Declaration
Langston Hughes Identity, Patriotism, Racial Equality, Defiance, Poetic Declaration