Langston Hughes

[roxy]

dolimir_k's Friday Poll made me think of Langston Hughes and how much I enjoyed his Simple Stories when I were a wee Roxy, and that sent me looking for them, and I found this, which made me laugh and then instantly depressed me because it could have been written yesterday instead of forty (!) years ago.
Anyway, give it a read and tell me what you think. And my, goodness wasn't he a handsome man back in the day?
http://www.weblogimages.com/v.p?uid=Roxy&pid=294797&sid=hlL16uwyG6

I'm popping it behind the cut for length, but give it a look-see.

Langston Hughes
(1902-1967)

Dinner Guest: Me

I know I am
The Negro Problem
Being wined and dined,
Answering the usual questions
That come to white mind
Which seeks demurely
To Probe in polite way
The why and wherewithal
Of darkness U.S.A.--
Wondering how things got this way
In current democratic night,
Murmuring gently
Over fraises du bois,
"I'm so ashamed of being white."
The lobster is delicious,
The wine divine,
And center of attention
At the damask table, mine.
To be a Problem on
Park Avenue at eight
Is not so bad.
Solutions to the Problem,
Of course, wait.

Comments

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

My feeling? Anytime you speak up to deal with an injustice you make a difference, because *someone* out there has stopped and actually thought about what ever stupidity they've been told is truth all their lives.It may not be as satisfying as watching enlightenment spread across someone's mug, but it's happened and it's real and it's at least a step forward. Sometimes it's all you get.