Assignment #1

Assignment #1
Rap & Spoken Word

            This article is about a young poet who wishes to be anything other than black; preferably white. Langston Hughes talks about black people not being appreciative of the race they are. The context of this article is written based on backgrounds and environments in which this young poet lives in. For example, the young poet feels though as he would be better off being white because the way his family acts around the house. They praise on white and being white is the best thing out there to be rather than oneself. I think this article is critique because Hughes is simply judging the young poet on what he believes is right for himself. Langston Hughes states, “And I was sorry the young man said that, for no great poet has ever been afraid to be himself.” I agree with Hughes, everyone should want to be themselves because being yourself is the most unique thing anyone can be.  Also there is no one else out there anything like you.

            The role of race as it pertains to the artist is that race is what runs most of their lives and if you are not the popular race, you mind as well dislike being yourself. During this time race was the only factor many people were concerned about. Race basically ruled most of the people lives during this time. Also, race pertains as a role to their creation because God created these people and if he created them to be black instead of white it truly means something. The role of race pertains to the listener by letting the listener know that there is never anything wrong with being yourself. In life there would come times when you would choose to hate any and everything about you, but usually that is just a phase and you will soon get over it. Always remember God made you this way for a reason and there is always a reason for being you. Don’t let your surroundings and the people who surround you change that.