Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, novelist, playwright, and newspaper columnist.

Political views

Hughes, like many black writers and artists of his time, was drawn to the promise of Socialism as an alternative to a segregated America. One of his lesser-known works is "Good Morning Revolution": The Unpublished Social Protest Writings of Langston Hughes. Hughes traveled extensively to the Soviet Union, including parts usually closed to Westerners, and also in Central Asia. Hughes' poetry was frequently published in the CPUSA’s newspaper and he was involved in initiatives supported by communist organizations, such as the drive to free the Scottsboro Boys and support of the Spanish Republic. Hughes was also involved in other communist-led organizations like the John Reed Clubs and the League of Struggle for Negro Rights, but he was more of a sympathizer than an active participant. He signed a statement in 1938 supporting Joseph Stalin's purges and joined the American Peace Mobilization in 1940 working to keep the U.S. from participating in WWII. (The U.S. communist movement soon changed its position to supporting the Second World War as an anti-fascist struggle.)

Related Topics:
Socialism - Segregated - Soviet Union - Westerners - CPUSA - Communist - Scottsboro Boys - Spanish Republic - John Reed Clubs - League of Struggle for Negro Rights - 1938 - Joseph Stalin - Purges - American Peace Mobilization - 1940 - WWII - Anti-fascist

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Hughes was accused of being a communist by many on the political right, but he always denied it. When asked why he never joined the Communist Party, he wrote "it was based on strict discipline and the acceptance of directives that I, as a writer, did not wish to accept." He was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1953. Following his appearance, he distanced himself from Socialism and was subsequently rebuked by some who had previously supported him on the Radical Left.

Related Topics:
Communist - Political right - House Un-American Activities Committee - 1953 - Radical Left

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It is hotly contested as to whether or not Hughes would have described himself as "gay", but it is widely agreed upon among his biographers that he indeed was a homosexual, and that he encoded his same-sex affections in his poetic works in a fashion similar to the poet Walt Whitman.

Related Topics:
Gay - Walt Whitman

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Hughes died of from prostate cancer in New York City in 1967, at the age of 65.

Related Topics:
Prostate cancer - New York City

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