Harlem Renaissance and New Deal Program by Natalie Poterek

Who was He?

npote373 — 2024-03-01 19:27:23 UTC

Langston Hughes was an influential figure during the Harlem Renaissance as a poet, playwright, novelist, short story writer, political commentator, and social activist. He focused his writings on everyday lives of average Black Americans.

What is he known for?

npote373 — 2024-03-01 19:33:04 UTC

Hughes played a large role in the Harlem Renaissance and he is most known for his influential poems such as "The Weary Blues" and "The Ways of White Folks". His works focused on the positive and negative working conditions of Black Americans.

Why was he my choice?

npote373 — 2024-03-01 19:42:29 UTC

I recognized Langston Hughes due to the fame he acquired during the Harlem Renaissance as well as recognizing his work as an influential poet.

His most influential works

npote373 — 2024-03-01 19:43:04 UTC

His arguably most infamous work is "Let America Be America Again". In this poem, he highlights the injustices that black Americans face every day and also includes his thoughts about how he feels like an outsider. However, he does not only talk about the injustice black people face; he also incorporates voices of white Americans as well as Native Americans in his idea of how the United States should be.

His connection to the Harlem Renaissance

npote373 — 2024-03-05 01:53:28 UTC

Hughes works focused on racial consciousness lacking hate. He would publish what would later be considered a declaration of the Harlem Renaissance in his work The Nation. He states that black artists of the Renaissance are no longer looking to hide in fear or shame and they are now stepping out into society.

Lasting Impacts

npote373 — 2024-03-05 02:02:19 UTC

He not only broke boundaries with poetry, he also formed a support group along with other black artists, he stood up for black artists during a time it was hard to fight against the hate, and he continued to spread the word of the Harlem Renaissance even after it was over. He now affects the way people view the Harlem Renaissance and he helped establish the pride that Black people attained during the Renaissance and that pride is still embedded into black society today.

Connection to Today

npote373 — 2024-03-05 02:06:42 UTC

The theme of the "American Dream" and the possibilities for black men to reach and accomplish their dreams were embedded into his works. While he only talked about men and women had to fight for their freedoms later on, he still makes an impact based on the pride and drive for black Americans of today to succeed in this society due to his work and efforts as well as many other influential black Americans.

What is the 21st Amendment?

npote373 — 2024-03-05 02:29:52 UTC

The 21st amendment was an amendment that was ratified on December 5th, 1933 in order to repeal the previous 18th amendment which established a nationwide ban on manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcohol. Americans would still find ways to drink because the amendment didn't particularly ban the consumption of alcohol. People found ways around the prohibition and Congress decided to end the prohibition with the 21st Amendment.

What Great Depression Issue is it trying to address?

npote373 — 2024-03-05 02:57:06 UTC

It was trying to address the act of prohibition that was initially put into place to protect families and individuals from drunkenness. This initial act of prohibition caused a rise in organized crime associated with the illegal production and sale of alcohol, increase in smuggling, and decrease in tax revenue. The 21st amendment was looking to solve all of these issues that arose due to the 18th amendment.

How effective was it short term and long term?

npote373 — 2024-03-05 03:02:53 UTC

This amendment was very effective short term and as for long term, it isn't as needed but we still abide by it. Today, it allows states to do whatever they want with the sale, structure, and importation of liquor. In the short term it reduced the crime and violence that prohibition caused and it also gave states more leeway in regulating alcohol around their borders.

What changes has it been subjected to over time?

npote373 — 2024-03-05 03:04:48 UTC

Besides initially getting rid of prohibition and regulating alcohol in the country again, it has not faced any changes.

How was the amendment received?

npote373 — 2024-03-05 03:06:33 UTC

Americans were incredibly happy with the amendment and celebrated the ratification at bars where they were legally allowed to drink again. They welcomed the end of the ban on alcohol.

Connection to Today

npote373 — 2024-03-05 03:12:54 UTC

Tennessee recently passed a law limiting any company to own 2 or more liquor-store licenses. Current holders of liquor licenses don't want out of grocery chains to enter the market and lower liquor prices. The 21st amendment imposed huge costs and fostered corruption in these cases.

Langston Hughes Cites

npote373 — 2024-03-05 03:18:33 UTC

Academy of American Poets. “Langston Hughes | Academy of American Poets.” Poets.org, 2016, poets.org/poet/langston-hughes.

(Used for the general idea of who Langston Hughes was)

Dr. Oliver Tearle. “10 of the Best Langston Hughes Poems Everyone Should Read.” Interesting Literature, 27 Oct. 2021, interestingliterature.com/2021/10/best-langston-hughes-poems/#.

(Used to find Langston Hughes best poem)

Editors, History.com. “Langston Hughes’ Path to Becoming the “People’s Poet.”” HISTORY, A&E Television Networks, 24 Jan. 2023, www.history.com/topics/black-history/langston-hughes.

(Used for summary on Langston Hughes)

Hughes, Langston. “Let America Be America Again by LANGSTON HUGHES.” Poetry Foundation, 1936, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/147907/let-america-be-america-again.

(Read Langston Hughes best poem)

Kettler, Sara. “Langston Hughes’ Impact on the Harlem Renaissance.” Biography, 25 Aug. 2020, www.biography.com/authors-writers/langston-hughes-harlem-renaissance.

(Used to find his impact on the Harlem Renaissance)

“Langston Hughes.” National Museum of African American History and Culture, nmaahc.si.edu/langston-hughes#:~:text=Hughes.

(Found what message he was trying to implement in the Harlem Renaissance)

21st Amendment Cites

npote373 — 2024-03-05 03:20:18 UTC

“Constitutional Amendments – Amendment 21 – “Repeal of Prohibition.”” Ronald Reagan, www.reaganlibrary.gov/constitutional-amendments-amendment-21-repeal-prohibition.

(Summary of 21st amendment)

Editors, History.com. “Prohibition.” HISTORY, A&E Television Networks, 24 Apr. 2023, www.history.com/topics/roaring-twenties/prohibition.

(Found more on what prohibition was and why it was ended by the 21st amendment)

Smentkowski, Brian. “Twenty-First Amendment | United States Constitution.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/Twenty-first-Amendment.

(Why the amendment was important)