Hughes – The Negro artist and the Racial Mountain

      Hughes argues that that Negro artists should not run away from the spirituality of their race. That is to say, one of ethnic backgrounds should not seek to resemble the oneness of the white race or dominate mold. Artists should reveal in their individuality and difference; they should not be ashamed or made to feel they must change/assimilate. They should explore the overtones and undertones involved in their relationship with whites and they should not be so ready to toss away that which is self-reflective. But be wary; do not depict stereotypes in order to serve a white audience. Serve yourself. 

                The problem: as the Negro family seeks to not be “niggers” they mix with white culture and unconsciously associate white culture with a virtuous lifestyle. This in turn creates an urge to be “white.”  Thus for an artist of ethnic origins it becomes increasingly difficult to interest himself in interpreting and depicting the beauty of his/her own people, separate from mainstream white culture. This creates a symbolic mountain/hurdle within a Negro artist’s life/art. This hurdle grows larger as one’s ethnic family attains more money. That is to say a middle class Negro family will strive to be whiter than a lower class family of similar background. Lower class Negro families are less ashamed of their roots. They embrace their religion/are more spiritual, they seek jazz (figuratively and literally), and they furnish a wealth of color and individuality. 

                This is no to say that Negros must always write about Negros, rather that they must seek to be honest with themselves about their experiences, insights, and culture.