“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore- And then run? Does it stink Like rotten meat? Or crust a sugar over- Like a sugary sweet? Maybe it just sags Like a heavy load. Or does it explode?” -Langston Hughes In the early 1900’s a movement of African American literature began that is now known as the Harlem Renaissance. Through poetry, novel, …showed first 75 words of 449 total…

…showed last 75 words of 449 total…achieve their own dreams, and alerted the country to our own problems of racism. Hughes served as both an inspiration and a mentor for the younger black writers who came of age in the 1960s. With his rich poetic voice, nurturing generosity, warm humor, and abiding love of black people, Langston Hughes was one of the dominant voices in American literature of this century and perhaps the single most influential African American poet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**