An Account of Racial Inequality in Langston Hughes Freedom Train :: Hughes Freedom Train Essays

An Account of Racial Inequality in Langston Hughes' Freedom Train "Freedom Train" by Langston Hughes is a powerful and eye-opening account of racial inequality in the early Twentieth century. Hughes poem is filled with a sense of irony but also hope towards the future. This tongue-in-cheek look at the so-called "Freedom" Train is a powerful image. Langston Hughes included important ideas in a simple and original way. Hughes was writing at the height of the Harlem Renaissance and his focus remained on issues faced by African Americans, but he did not dwell on the injustices. "Freedom Train" and other writings of Langston Hughes had a very hopeful tone. The poem, written in 1947, was produced in a time surrounded by war, patriotism, and also racism in America. World War II was ending and patriotism was at a high. The title, "Freedom Train" was coined from a locomotive that carried the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and other important American documents on a tour across the United States. People were free to visit this train when it arrived in their town. This was one example of growing patriotism after World War II. The irony of this poem is, as Hughes points out, the fact that the American people were celebrating this Freedom Train and documents assuring our freedom, while African Americans were still not even considered equal citizens by most white Americans. Racism was still common and blacks were still treated as inferiors. These injustices are what Hughes is concerned with. Hughes cannot fathom this as the "Freedom" Train because he has no real sense of freedom, but he is hopeful and looks to the future. Hugh asks, "How can this be a Freedom Train?" He remarks that he cannot even sit in the white man's railroad car that, at the same time, is encouraging freedom. The irony is unbelievable. Hughes is, in a sense, waiting for his own freedom train in a much deeper sense. By taking this poem one section at a time, and looking at the historical significance, one discovers these important links and u nderlying messages conveyed by Langston Hughes. Langston Hughes gives us an African American view on many issues that were important during this time. He writes in a very sarcastic manner when speaking of the Freedom Train.