I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.
Langston HughesRead
I was a victim of a stereotype. There were only two of us Negro kids in the whole class, and our English teacher was always stressing the importance of rhythm in poetry. Well, everybody knows - except us - that all Negroes have rhythms, so they elected me class poet.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the impact of stereotypes and societal expectations on identity and self-perception.
In this quote, Langston Hughes reflects on his experience as a Black student and how stereotypes shaped the perceptions of others regarding his abilities. He points out the absurdity of being chosen as a 'class poet' solely based on the stereotype that all Black individuals inherently possess rhythm. This commentary addresses the broader implications of racial stereotypes and how they can influence both how one is viewed by society and one's own self-identity.
Themes
StereotypeIdentityRacePoetryEducation
In practice
Example use cases
In a classroom discussion about the impacts of stereotypes, educators might use this quote to illustrate how assumptions can limit a student's potential.
More from Langston Hughes
All quotes →My writing has been largely concerned with the depicting of Negro life in America.
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I tire so of hearing people say, Let things take their course. Tomorrow is another day. I do not need my freedom when I'm dead. I cannot live on tomorrow's bread.
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An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose.
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The calm, Cool face of the river, Asked me for a kiss
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The only way to get a thing done is to start to do it, then keep on doing it, and finally you'll finish it.
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