
Someone discovered the new poems, written on the cover of a book, by Langston Hughes, and they were also found to be simple yet radical. Hughes’ lyrical poetry had the charm and political protest inherent in it. Here is the one from his newly discovered poems. silently written somewhere, maybe purposefully! Enjoy !
You and your whole race.
Look down upon the town in which you live
And be ashamed.
Look down upon white folks
And upon yourselves
And be ashamed
That such supine poverty exists there,
That such stupid ignorance breeds children there
Behind such humble shelters of despair—
That you yourselves have not the sense to care
Nor the manhood to stand up and say
I dare you to come one step nearer, evil world,
With your hands of greed seeking to touch my throat, I dare you to come one step nearer me:
When you can say that
you will be free!
YOU AND YOUR WHOLE RACE by LANGSTON HUGHES
Source: Poetry (January 2009)
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