Langston Hughes Quotes

American writer and social activist (1901–1967)

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

Bio from: Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Alternative Names: James Mercer Langston Hughes • James Langston Hughes

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I asked you, baby,
If you understood-
You told me that you didn't,
But you thought you would.

I stuck my head out the window this morning and spring kissed me bang in the face.

You see, unfortunately, I am not black. There are lots of different kinds of blood in our family. But here in the United States, the word “Negro” is used to mean anyone who has any Negro blood at all in his veins. In Africa, the word is more pure. It means all Negro, therefore black. I am brown. My father was a darker brown. My mother an olive-yellow.

Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love. I like to work, read, learn, and understand life. I like a pipe for a Christmas present, or records — Bessie, bop, or Bach. I guess being colored doesn’t make me not like the same things other folks like who are other races.

For all the dreams we've dreamed And all the songs we've sung And all the hopes we've held And all the flags we've hung, The millions who have nothing for our pay — Except the dream that's almost dead today.

I loved my friend
He went away from me
There's nothing more to say
The poem ends,
Soft as it began-
I loved my friend.

To some people
Love is given,
To others
Only Heaven.

It’s not easy to know what is true for you or me at twenty-two, my age. But I guess I’m what I feel and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you.

I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart, I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars. I am the red man driven from the land, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek — And finding only the same old stupid plan Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

Gather up In the arms of your love — Those who expect No love from above.

The past has been a mint Of blood and sorrow. That must not be True of tomorrow.

So since I'm still here livin',
I guess I will live on.
I could've died for love — But for livin' I was born.

Life is a egg you have to be patient and carefull with it or it will brake

Folks, I'm telling you,
birthing is hard
and dying is mean-
so get yourself
a little loving
in between.

A certain amount of nothing in a dream deferred.