Journal #3

Langston Hughes contributed greatly to the Harlem renaissance, through his writings, poetry, and other arts. He was a major proponent of the idea that being black was not something to be ashamed of, and was just as beautiful as being white, or any race. He helped create jazz poetry, another new form of art being developed during this time period. Hughes also believed, unlike many of his contemporaries, that the black culture was a source of inspiration for the arts, and that it had many things to offer and insights into the black perspective of the world. He was also known for being a communist, although he never declared himself one.
Dialect-Boston (with some creative liberties taken)
Pronunciation
ar-ah
at the end of a word, "a"-er
o-aw (sox becomes sawx)

Grammar
Heavy use of contractions
use of double negatives
often a use of the "he" form of a verb (I says)

Vocabulary
aya-yes, or yeah
wicked-very
jimmies-sprinkles (sometimes rainbow jimmies for multi colored sprinkles)


During the 1930's, Langston Hughes approached a gentleman while walking the streets of Boston. He inquired, "what do you think of the recent Harlem Renaissance occurring among the black citizens of the nation?" The man replied, "Ah thinks it's a great thing, and it's doing wicked good for the black folks in this ahrea." Hughes remarked, "you know, I have the same opinion. I believe that being black is not something to be ashamed of. " The other man, whose name was Webster, began questioning him more in depth about his particular beliefs. "Ah thinks thaht the renaissance is helping bring more ahrts to yaw culture he queried, what's yaw opinion?" he queried. Hughes began a long explanation of his beliefs saying that "the world will begin to enjoy the art that is created as a result of our experiences and sufferings, and will be the better for it." Webster gave his wholehearted approval, exclaiming, "aya, yaw wicked smaht, and ah thinks yaw ideers ah very intelligent. " The conversation was momentarily stopped when Hughes stopped to ponder a recent issue over communism, and then he began a new line, "what are your beliefs about the social classes and the issues over work and management?" Webster paused for a second and then replied, "mah feelings about that issue ahren't made up yet. but you, don't never stop believing whaht you wahnt." Relieved, Hughes offered to buy Webster an ice cream with "jimmies" a term he had recently picked up for sprinkles. He then stated, "You know, I created a new type of art, called jazz poetry, and I also do other types of writing." Webster responded with, "Ah knew you were smaht, but this is amazing. " Hughes also gave another example of his career in the writing profession, "I also went to the USSR to create a film about communism and other things like that." Webster immediately looked concerned, knowing that the USSR was not the friendliest of countries towards Americans. "Ah Mah Gawd, you ah a wicked brave soul, sir, having brave that cruel country." Hughes responded by saying that, "it was all in the pursuit of more knowledge and the pursuit of a better life."