Negro poets are different in relation to white poets because Negroes differ from the white people not only in the color of skin but also in identity, vision of the world, and cultural background. However, Negro poets often want to write as white poets because of impossibility to see the beauty of their own personality with all its feelings, emotions, and experience.
The theme of Negro poet’s beauty is discussed in the work “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” written by Langston Hughes, one of the most prominent African American poets. In spite of the fact that Negro poets can feel uncomfortable in the literary world full of outstanding white poets, they should focus on their own beauty as unique personalities and individuals who have the incomparable identity, background, and cultural experience which make them special and beautiful.
Langston Hughes discusses the idea of Negro poet’s beauty step by step, focusing on all the moments which can confuse young Negro poets and make them reject their past and identity. Moreover, the author discusses the concept of beauty in its connection with the notion of uniqueness which is an important feature of many great poets.
Thus, Hughes states that the really talented Negro artist who can become prominent is “the one who is not afraid to be himself” (Hughes 2087). That is why, the Negro poet should not try to become like any other white poet because he has his own beauty which is in his individuality.
The beauty of a Negro poet’s is discussed in the essay in its opposition to the American ideas of standardization. Negro poets cannot be confident in relation to their talent and abilities because they are inclined to compare themselves with the American patterns and models typical for the white society.
From this perspective, many young Negro poets express the desire “to pour racial individuality into the mold of American standardization” (Hughes 2086).
Hughes emphasizes the fact that any comparisons and imitations can be harmful for Negro poets because the single question that they should ask is “Why should I want to be white? I am a Negro – and beautiful” (Hughes 2088). Thus, Hughes intends to break the stereotypical vision characteristic for Negroes in relation to their role and opportunities within the white society.
Hughes discusses the theme of the Negro poet’s beauty stressing on the fact that black people’s power is in their difference which forms their beauty. That is why, it is necessary to concentrate on their own visions of themselves instead of relying on the opinions of the white people.
According to Hughes, Negro poets should express their “individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame” (Hughes 2090). Hughes continues, “We know we are beautiful. And ugly too” (Hughes 2090). Thus, black people should accept their difference, their identity and background in order to provide themselves with the opportunity to create in spite of the other people’s points of view.
In his essay “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain”, Langston Hughes intends to discuss the theme of the black people’s uniqueness and difference with references to the visions of Negro poets and to the concept of beauty. The author pays attention to the fact that all the people are beautiful when they have unique experiences and backgrounds. The Negro poets are unique, and they should be proud of the black identity which is their beauty.
Works Cited
Hughes, Langston. “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain”. The Harper Single Volume American Literature. Ed. Donald McQuade. New York: Longman, 1999. 2086-2090. Print.