Poets Write Feelings of Racism in Still I Rise In Harlem...

The topic of racism and slavery date back centuries ago. It is an unimaginable thing to have known that it occurred for such an extensive amount of time in the past. But knowing that racism is still going on is unfortunate. During the mid-1950’s-60’s was when the Black community really felt the need to take charge and fight for their rights. Numerous amounts of young black men and women found ways to end racism. Some even sought out to write their feelings turning them into poetry. One of these people is Langston Hughes. Hughes is a very influential man who has written countless amounts of poetry. Another leading poet that has a major impact to further demolish racism is Maya Angelou. She too has written a multitude of poetry over the†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Maybe it just sags/ like a heavy load† (lines 9-10). It is like as if anyone can feel the pain when reading those lines. The poem was written back during the civil rights days, and Harry Phillips says the real meaning of a dream â€Å"deferred† is that African Americans continue to endure the difficult realties of racism and limited opportunity in a presumably free society. The dream deferred is mainly Hughes talking about the civil rights movement on â€Å"racism†. On the other hand, Still I Rise is another poem that has various similarities to Harlem. It frequently shows to the readers that whatever comes her way, she still rises. The poem consistently has a repetitively saying of â€Å"still I rise† which generally means to her, all the things she may have encountered, racism, and other personal situations, she still rises to greatness. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak thats wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise.† (Angelou Lines 35-43) Throughout the poem it reveals to us that though she has encountered being mistreated during the segregated days and so have her fellow ancestors in their past life, she will continue on and really be exceptional. Furthermore, it is clear to the audience that the intent for Harlem and Still I Rise is to show that whatever one may encounter whether it being a death