Analyzing W.E.B Dubois Langston Hughes and Richard Wright
Analyzing three different African American writers, I have become aware of three viewpoints in which African American artists should express themselves. Each writer made there points clear in there respectable articles. Langston Hughes expresses his views in “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain,” W.E.B Dubois in ”Criteria Of Negro Art,” and Richard Wright in “Blueprint for Negro Writing”. After comparing the three writers, one can find many similarities in each writers messages for the African American writer, and see which writer had the strongest and most persuasive stand.
Langston Hughes advocates for the negro artist to be themselves and express individuality. He preaches this message because he believes the negro artist should be confident and not have to question who they are or what they represent. Hughes wrote in the 1920’s which was the Harlem Renaissance, so in a time in which African American art was becoming popular I believe this is an important message. “One of the most promising of the young Negro poets said to me once, I want to be a poet--not a Negro poet, meaning, I believe, I want to write like a white poet; meaning subconsciously, I would like to be a white poet; meaning behind that, I would like to be white."
In referencing back to the article, Hughes mentions a writer who said he did not want to be a negro writer but just a writer. Hughes saw this as shameful because it was considered negative assimilation. In the 1920’s the white man wanted the negro man to be as white and “brainwashed” as possible. In doing this Hughes believes that an important piece of strong African American culture is taken away. Hughes wants to assert confidence because he believes if a negro writer can be confident and write as a negro writer successfully, then he could be recognized for excellent writer by all races. In reality, Hughes advice was to be happy with oneself and be proud of it. He wanted to see African Americans write about their world with
Langston Hughes advocates for the negro artist to be themselves and express individuality. He preaches this message because he believes the negro artist should be confident and not have to question who they are or what they represent. Hughes wrote in the 1920’s which was the Harlem Renaissance, so in a time in which African American art was becoming popular I believe this is an important message. “One of the most promising of the young Negro poets said to me once, I want to be a poet--not a Negro poet, meaning, I believe, I want to write like a white poet; meaning subconsciously, I would like to be a white poet; meaning behind that, I would like to be white."
In referencing back to the article, Hughes mentions a writer who said he did not want to be a negro writer but just a writer. Hughes saw this as shameful because it was considered negative assimilation. In the 1920’s the white man wanted the negro man to be as white and “brainwashed” as possible. In doing this Hughes believes that an important piece of strong African American culture is taken away. Hughes wants to assert confidence because he believes if a negro writer can be confident and write as a negro writer successfully, then he could be recognized for excellent writer by all races. In reality, Hughes advice was to be happy with oneself and be proud of it. He wanted to see African Americans write about their world with