[these songs] had the pulse beat of the people who keep on going." ... (Life of Langston Hughes, 1902-1941: I, Too, Sing America) He wrote in this essay, "We younger Negro artists now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased we are glad. ... If colored people are pleased we are glad. ... Nevertheless, his love of gospel music led to other acclaimed stage efforts, usually mixing words, music, and dance in an atmosphere of improvisation. ...

• Word Count: 2112
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

African Americans were encouraged to celebrate their heritage and to become "The New Negro," term coined in 1925 by sociologist and critic Alain LeRoy Locke. ... In his influential book The New Negro (1925), Locke described the northward migration of African Americans as "something like a spiritual emancipation." ... White gardenias, worn in her hair, became her trademark. ... Langston entered Columbia University and began living in Harlem, at that time an elegant section on the northern end of Manhattan Island that African American people were making their own. ... Hughes's poetry ...

• Word Count: 1300
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Being me, it will not be white. ... That's American. ... Hughes first book of poetry, The Weary Blues, was published by Alfred A. ... He wanted to tell the stories of his people in ways that reflected their actual culture, including both their suffering and their love of music, laughter, and language itself. ... Thus a vitality is shown in him and his people which is not present in the hearts of the other students, simply because they are white and not in need of it. ...

• Word Count: 1896
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Being me, it will not be white. ... That's American. ... Hughes first book of poetry, The Weary Blues, was published by Alfred A. ... He wanted to tell the stories of his people in ways that reflected their actual culture, including both their suffering and their love of music, laughter, and language itself. ... Thus a vitality is shown in him and his people which is not present in the hearts of the other students, simply because they are white and not in need of it. ...

• Word Count: 1930
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School