Setting out to write about black Americans, Hughes created a body of work-poetry, fiction, journalism, essays, plays, and song lyrics. While decrying racism and the inequities it created for blacks and other minorities, Hughes called for cooperation among all races. ... A lover of books and plays, she had once dreamed of becoming a professional actress. ... Paris at that time was home to an array of black American musicians and entertainers. ... In 1926 Hughes's first book, The Weary Blues, was published to a chorus of praise from black and white reviewers alike. ...

• Word Count: 1295
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

They dealt with Black life from a Black perspective. ... By 1920, black Harlem had extended from 130th to 145th Street with a population of about 73,000 b;acls. 66.9 percent of Manhattan's blacks. ... Blacks developed a new consciousness. The deterioration of the social position of blacks in American Society caused blacks to turn to each other and develop the ideas of self-help and black pride. ... Musicals and plays about blacks became popular as well. ...

• Word Count: 2437
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School