1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hughes, Langston. 2009. MY PEOPLE. photographs: Charles R. Smith Jr. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9781416935407
2. BOOK REVIEW
In this poetry book, Hughes uses metaphors to compare the beauty of the African American people to things in nature that are also beautiful. Although the book is short and consists of only one poem, the meaning is deep. The reader gets to see both through Hughes' words and Smith's photographs, how the African American people hold a unique beauty that is their own. The photographs depict African American people of different ages, genders, moods, and skin tones, showing the reader how each person is unique and alike at the same time.
The book begins by comparing the beauty of the night to the faces of the African American people. The poem allows the reader to predict what the next metaphor will be, after understanding the first comparison. The poem does not rhyme, but has a distinct constant rhythm throughout which appeals to the ear as it is read aloud. The tone of the poem is one of both awe and pride as Hughes ponders the beauty of the African American people. This book evokes a strong personal response as the reader is able to understand the beauty of the African American people from just a few words and photographs.
3. SELECTED POEM
This book contained only one short poem, describing the beauty of the African American people, so just a few lines from the poem will be found below. I chose these lines because they are the first lines of the poem. These lines introduce the metaphors throughout the poem, which compare the beauty of nature with the beauty of the African American people. This book would be an excellent way to introduce cultural differences with students of any age. The instructor could have a discussion with the students on ways that people are alike and different. This book, along with other books about different races and cultures could be read aloud to students to celebrate cultural diversity and to understand how humans are alike and different. After reading, the students could draw themselves and write a short poem about how they are unique.
MY PEOPLE
Hughes, Langston. 2009. MY PEOPLE. photographs: Charles R. Smith Jr. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9781416935407
2. BOOK REVIEW
In this poetry book, Hughes uses metaphors to compare the beauty of the African American people to things in nature that are also beautiful. Although the book is short and consists of only one poem, the meaning is deep. The reader gets to see both through Hughes' words and Smith's photographs, how the African American people hold a unique beauty that is their own. The photographs depict African American people of different ages, genders, moods, and skin tones, showing the reader how each person is unique and alike at the same time.
The book begins by comparing the beauty of the night to the faces of the African American people. The poem allows the reader to predict what the next metaphor will be, after understanding the first comparison. The poem does not rhyme, but has a distinct constant rhythm throughout which appeals to the ear as it is read aloud. The tone of the poem is one of both awe and pride as Hughes ponders the beauty of the African American people. This book evokes a strong personal response as the reader is able to understand the beauty of the African American people from just a few words and photographs.
3. SELECTED POEM
This book contained only one short poem, describing the beauty of the African American people, so just a few lines from the poem will be found below. I chose these lines because they are the first lines of the poem. These lines introduce the metaphors throughout the poem, which compare the beauty of nature with the beauty of the African American people. This book would be an excellent way to introduce cultural differences with students of any age. The instructor could have a discussion with the students on ways that people are alike and different. This book, along with other books about different races and cultures could be read aloud to students to celebrate cultural diversity and to understand how humans are alike and different. After reading, the students could draw themselves and write a short poem about how they are unique.
MY PEOPLE
The night
is beautiful,
so the faces
of my people.
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