The Negro speaks of rivers

American poet and social activist Langston Hughes wrote the poem The Negro Speaks of Rivers. In 1921, The Crisis journal published it for the first time. The poem recalls recollections of African slavery, particularly the attempt to end it by Abraham Lincoln. The narrator shares recollections associated with Africa's historic rivers and speaks from the depths of his soul. This poem attempts to create a bridge between the past and present from the perspective of an elderly soul. Beginning the poem with a reference to old rivers of the world, the speaker may be alluding to a time when Africans were happily coexisting with Europeans before being brought to America as slaves. The narrator's enormous brilliance is on full display in this detailed and descriptive explanation, which also enables him to draw a clear distinction between members of his race and the rest of human civilization. In the early 20th century, White Americans frequently considered their counterparts with darker skin to be less than human; Hughes here provides specific examples of historical justice.

Although racism as a problem still exists today, it can be seen that over time, there has been an improvement in the acceptance of people who have varied skin tones. Today, the globe aspires to be a completely inclusive community. According to "Ancient, dusky rivers" (Hughes, 2009), the African-American community has gone through dark and troubling times in the past. But by adding, "My soul has grown deep like the rivers," the author informs the readers that modern-day Africans have become stronger by enduring hardship and suffering (Hughes, 2009). The poem purposefully depicts black history, which undoubtedly has an impact on modern American society. The Negro Speaks of Rivers thus demonstrates how the Afro community has developed over the decades by showing how they evolved from being oppressed slaves to having the same privileges as other American citizens.

Poet: Langston Hughes
Published: 1921