Race as an identity has played a significant role in groups of American whose skin is darker in complexion. The American society has created stereotypical views of the African Americans, to distort their perception among other racial groups. Reshaping the Black identity can occur in environments where the majority are of a different racial background, giving them the opportunity to challenge perceived image of themselves. “Theme for English B”, a poem by Langston Hughes written in 1955, is a poem that deconstructs race as an identity into human connections such as culture and nationality. Hughes argues that lack of racial understanding has created conflicted views and emotions towards African Americans, he shows his readers the shared identity he as with his professor and classmates, through the celebration of American pop culture and their national identity.
Hughes and his peers where assigned a paper to create a body of literature that express their identity. He began his assignment with a brief deception of his racial and culture background. Hughes deconstructed his identity, stated that his understanding of this world differed from that of his professor, and wants to acknowledge an African American community that recognizes him. Hughes observed that hobbies such as music and art that stir a mood of happiness broke through racial barriers and stereotypes, as a person’s culture or color does not reflect their perception of happiness. He wants his professor to be aware that as an African American, racial tension in the country will be responsible for the distorted perception and emotions his professor has created of him. He concludes that his professor should use his presence in the class, as an opportunity to learn more about with the same racial background has him.
Pathos allows Hughes to explicitly shows that his professor may lack an understanding of his identity, because he or she has been attached to the racial makeup of defining someone’s identity. Hughes argues his society systematically uses race to differentiate, and influence people to ignore values that unite them. Hughes empathizes even though the color of skin may create this boundary in his environment, he is as human and American as his professor and classmates. He states, “You are white— yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. That’s American. Sometimes perhaps you don’t want to be a part of me. Nor do I often want to be a part of you. But we are, that’s true!” Meaning they both share American citizenship and an understand of American values such as equality. He also observes that living in this country is responsible their shared identity as an American, but not same opportunity and prosperities. He established a friendly connection with his professor without reflecting on the color of skin and expressed pride in being an American. However he made his professor aware that, regardless of their shared identity as an Americans, he is not that comfortable around people that share the same racial background as his professor, and his professor may also not feel comfortable surrounded by Americans that look like Hughes.
Hughes’s ethos appeal created his credibility as being the only black student. He gave a description of his family being from the South of United States, then discusses how his education has caused him to move around the country. He then examined how the color of skin sets him apart from his professor and classmates. Hughes proved to his audience that he was just as human as any person around the world and his racial background did not discourage him from relating to with people of different racial backgrounds or culture. He examined some passions that many American share regardless of their race to show his love for the culture, he states, “I like a pipe for a Christmas present, or records—Bessie, bop, or Bach. I guess being colored doesn’t make me not like the same things other folks like who are other races”. Hughes determined that was not responsible for his passion in the American culture. Hughes observed American hobbies such as music and art that stir a mood of happiness breaks through racial undertones and stereotypes, as a person’s culture or color does not reflect their expression of happiness. The American pop culture with music and arts, unite Americans on the shared emotion of amusement, relaxation, and beauty. The American pop culture may be the only way Hughes and white classmates could relate to, as their favorite artists, actors, or musicians have a diverse audience. The American pop culture makes it possible for Americans to interact about trends, topics, and ideas around the country.
Furthermore, a logos appeal allowed Hughes to understand and presents race as a sociocultural construct. He also expressed values and cultural presence that could be shared by excluding features that oppress people. Hughes’s curiosity as student and African American allows him to learn from his white professor and expects his educational environment to use as an opportunity for his white professor and classmates to learn about the Black culture and identity from him. However, he questions his professor ignorance towards race and if he is prepared to battle any stereotypes that has surround him or her. He states, “As I learn from you, I guess you learn from me—although you’re older—and white—and somewhat more free”. Through deconstructing his identity, Hughes clarifies that his understanding of this world differs from that of his professor and he is direct with the understanding the privilege his professor has as a white man in an institution that is favored to most white students. Langston Hughes is a brilliant student; he presents the social identity theory of implicit bias. The professor’s implicit bias may have influenced him or her to undermine Hughes literacy ability; however, this poem created a possible relationship between him and professor allowing to shape his professor’s perceptions of Black Americans.
Racial structure plays a role in America’s approach to understanding people and their influence in the country. Hughes’s poem led to the foundation to questions the role of race in the lives of Americans. American’s identity of different races, cultures, and gender, help interact and relate among themselves; however, it is known that different races have led to some people relating differently to others and perceiving others, especially Blacks and other minorities negatively.
Works Cited
Hughes, Langston. “Theme for English B.” The collected poems of Langston Hughes (1951): 409-10.
