Langston Hughes1901–1967- Montage of a Dream Deferred (1951), “Harlem”
- “Let America Be America Again” (1935)
Humor is laughing at what you haven’t got when you ought to have it.
“A Note on Humor”, from The Book of Negro Humor, p. vii (1966)I do not need my freedom when I’m dead.
I cannot live on tomorrow’s bread.“Democracy” (poem, also titled “Freedom”)- I, Too (1925)In context
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.Mother to Son (1922)In contextSo boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.Mother to Son (1922)In context- I, Too (1925)In context
