The poems in this project were written to be in the style of Langston Hughes to celebrate this "Black History Month."

Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1902. He contributed to the Harlem Renaissance during the 1920s with his poems. Hughes used his poems to describe his portayal of blacks in America during the time period of his life. After living a great 65 years, on May 22, 1967, Langston Hughes died. His poetry is timeless and is used as supplemental study in schools across the country.

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Free from Struggle

As white as I be
Born and free
Being a female is a struggle to me
All white male be dominant
With racism and sexism
Men and women,
Gay and straight,
Black and white,
May we be not human?
We be all the same inside
For to feel and to love
We all be the same
Forever from now
Born and free

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Dream Undeferred

Dreams always happen
Awake or asleep
With joy, peace, and freedom
Don't let the darkness in
Keep joy for the future
Peace to keep sanity
Let freedom take the place of your shackles
Fly free while asleep
Fly free while awake
Don't let the darkness in
Refuse to be shot down
For dreams always happen
Awake or asleep

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Forever Home: America

America is America to you and me
Complete with equality
Which may be
The completed step to be free
Your dream is the same, when you are awake
Come with me, mon amí
Together we will be free
We are equal
With a beautiful destiny

America is America to you and me
Your land is your land
While mine is mine
Your home is your home
A place to unwind

Life is there without
The poor white
The 'Negro' with slavery scars
The 'red man' with no land
They are all free
Just like it should be

America is America to you and me
Riches and riches and riches
A place for all wishes
Be sure to not get greedy
People face hunger
But not for much longer