Shakespeare in Harlem

James Mercer Langston Hughes was one of the most prominent writers that emerged during the Harlem Renaissance period. Hughes wrote in many genres, but he receives most recognition for his poetry. Hughes’s poems are expressions of hope, aspirations, and pride. But most all combine the need for more equal treatment between the white and black races. Many aspects of including racism, the civil rights movement, and pride in black culture affected the work of Hughes.
Racism influenced the themes of Hughes’ work. Racism was a part of Hughes’ everyday life because discriminatory practices remained largely unchallenged until 1941. In Hughes’ earlier years he spent much of his time moving, and this added with being an African-American was difficult when it came time of fitting in as the usual student would. Hughes then spent a year with his father in Mexico as a release of the racism of the North. Moreover, Hughes themes of racism in his poems were greatly affected by what he fe...