Langston Hughes penned this poem in 1926 and it was published as part of a collection later that year. It is written from the perspective of a single speaker who tells of the dreams that the African American community have of freedom and equality in society. The poem is also an exhortation from Hughes to his peers as he encourages them not to relinquish their dreams. Hughes believed a life without dreams became stagnant and meaningless.
Born in 1902, Hughes became one of the foremost writers of his time and is credited with creating a form known as Jazz Poetry. He was a leader in the Harlem Renaissance and believed that his work came to prominence because at the time African American culture in Harlem was viewed as very fashionable.
Hughes is best known as a poet but has also written novels and plays. He worked as a newspaper columnist in later years. Hughes died in 1967 and remained a prolific writer and social commentator until his death.
