Langston Hughes e a expressão da experiência afroamericana através da poesia e da prosa

Abstract

This work aims to analyze the poetry of Langston Hughes in the context of the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural and intellectual movement that flourished in the 1920s and had a significant impact on the affirmation of Black identity in the United States. The research explores how Hughes, as one of the movement's key figures, used his poetry to rewrite the history of the African diaspora, highlighting the search for the reconquest of identity and cultural roots of Black people. Through his work, Hughes represents one of the most powerful voices in promoting authentic Black culture and denouncing social inequalities. The research is grounded in the theoretical contributions of authors such as Bernd (2003), who discusses the issue of identity in Black literature, and Smith and Watson (1998), who address the cultural representation of marginalized subjects. Additionally, the reflections of Alain Locke and W.E.B. Du Bois on Blackness and the valorization of African American culture enrich the analysis, as both advocate for the importance of cultural affirmation as a form of resistance to white domination. The methodology used is qualitative, focusing on the analysis of key poems by Hughes, such as "I, too," to understand how his work engages with the social and political issues of his time. It is concluded that Langston Hughes' poetry, within the context of the Harlem Renaissance, not only denounces racial inequalities and oppression but also affirms the importance of Black identity and becomes a form of cultural resistance.