Chapter 21, Poems-And Politics Summary

Hughes' poetry was often infused with political or religious propaganda that occasionally got the poet into trouble. On several occasions, his readings were cancelled due to public outbursts. One such occasion occurred in November of 1940, when Hughes was scheduled to speak at a Book and Author luncheon. Aimie Semple Macpherson, an evangelist, found out about Hughes' appearance and, after reading his poem "Goodbye Christ," said, "There are many devils, but the most dangerous of all is the red devil. And now there comes among us a red devil in a black skin!" Langston left the luncheon without reading his poetry.

Another incident occurred in Gary, Indiana, where the colored teachers of a school were told they'd be fired if Hughes, an assumed communist, read his poetry. However, the FBI assured the school board that Hughes was not a communist...