Remembering Langston Hughes

Growing up half Black and half White in both the hood and the suburbs was always interesting for me. You get to see both perspectives of two completely different, yet completely the same ethnicities and cultures. Over the years, I have learned the many advantages of being multiracial. Being half black meant; an addiction to soul food, rare sunburns and a deep appreciation for the African American struggle and culture.

Being half white meant; I can occasionally talk myself out of a ticket (occasionally), I learned the perspective of the Caucasian american and I was introduced to European languages like french. On the flip-side, there were also many challenges and adversities I had to over come being a mixed kid. Growing up in the ghettos of Milwaukee in my early years, I experienced reverse racism. Although I was dark skinned, I wasn't dark enough for some of my darker skinned peers. After moving to a much more suburban Washington state with my German dad in elementary school, I would experience a very similar racism from my white peers. So you can see how this might bring confusion to a young child. However, studying great bi-racial activists and artists like Langston Hughes and Fredrick Douglas helped me gain a whole new perspective on being mixed. I would carry around a collection of Langston Hughes' Poems as if it were my bible.

Today, I will dedicate to the one and only Langston Hughes for being such an inspiration in my life.