Theme for English B

by Langston Hughes

The instructor said,

 

    Go home and write

    a page tonight.

    And let that page come out of you--

    Then, it will be true.

 

I wonder if it's that simple?

I am twenty-two, colored, born in Winston-Salem.

I went to school there, then Durham, then here

to this college on the hill above Harlem.

I am the only colored student in my class.

The steps from the hill lead down into Harlem,

through a park, then I cross St. Nicholas,

Eighth Avenue, Seventh, and I come to the Y,

the Harlem Branch Y, where I take the elevator

up to my room, sit down, and write this page:

 

It's not easy to know what is true for you or me

at twenty-two, my age. But I guess I'm what

I feel and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you:

hear you, hear me--we two--you, me, talk on this page.

(I hear New York, too.) Me--who?

Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love.

I like to work, read, learn, and understand life.

I like a pipe for a Christmas present,

or records--Bessie, bop, or Bach.

I guess being colored doesn't make me not like

the same things other folks like who are other races.

So will my page be colored that I write?

 

Being me, it will not be white.

But it will be

a part of you, instructor.

You are white--

yet a part of me, as I am a part of you.

That's American.

Sometimes perhaps you don't want to be a part of me.

Nor do I often want to be a part of you.

But we are, that's true!

As I learn from you,

I guess you learn from me--

although you're older--and white--

and somewhat more free.

 

This is my page for English B.

  

 

Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture (www.poets.org).  

 

This month, the 125th Street BID digs into Harlem's history to celebrate our community's contribution to poetry. Most of the well-recognized Harlem-based poets were active during the Harlem Renaissance. Scores of Harlem poets contributed to the Harlem Renaissance and to the American literary canon, but a few are named below:     

 

Gwendolyn B. Bennett(July 8, 1902 - May 30, 1981) was an African American writer who contributed to Opportunity, which chronicled cultural advancements in Harlem. Though often overlooked, she herself made considerable accomplishments in poetry and prose.     

 

Countee Cullen was a leading figure in the Harlem Renaissance. He attended De Witt Clinton High School in New York and began writing poetry at the age of fourteen. In 1922, Cullen entered New York University.  

 

Angelina Weld Grimke (February 27, 1880 - June 10, 1958) was a Multiracial American journalist, teacher, playwright and poet who was part of the Harlem Renaissance and was one of the first Mixed American women to have a play performed. 

 

Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 - May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance. He famously wrote about the period that "the negro was in vogue" which was later paraphrased as "when Harlem was in vogue".  

 

Jean Toomer (December 26, 1894 - March 30, 1967) was an American poet and novelist and an important figure of the Harlem Renaissance. His first book Cane is considered by many as his most significant.   

  

Click for 30 great ways to celebrate  

National Poetry Month 

 

Celebrate National Poetry Month in Harlem  

by coming out to one of these events:  

• Romance Love and Poetry at Aloft 
• Teen Poetry: Grand Slam Final 
A National Poetry Month Special: 110 Morningside: A Tribute to Abiodun
• Master Poetry Workshop with Sonia Sanchez at Hue-Man 
• Celebrate National Poetry Month with Yusef Komunyakaa 
• Uptown Open: 3rd Thursdays 
• The Bomb Shelter   
• Spoken Word: SPEAK UP! Between Beyond Stage Page  

125th Street BID's Move-In Guide: 

 

Around the first of every month, New Yorkers move to new neighborhoods. If you or anyone you know is moving to the 125th Street area, this Moving In Guide written for you by the 125th Street BID could come in very handy.  

 

Your first stop is Sleepy's Mattress & Bedding for your new bed. Then you can focus on choosing furniture to make your new apartment feel like home. Walking down 125th Street, you'll find  Eden Furniture Store,  Harlem Furniture, and Jennifer Convertibles. Each of these stores has a great selection, and they're diverse enough so that you'll be guaranteed to find something you like.  

 

Once the furniture is taken care of, head to Paramount Decorators Inc or Harlem Bed & Bath to get essentials like bedding and kitchen and bathroom supplies. Dollar stores like 1 Dollar Depot and Harlem 99 Cents Store also carry some of these items.  

 

For your TV, phone, or other electronic needs, visit  Kiss Electronics or Radio Shack. Kiss Electronics and True Value Discount Inc. also offer discounted air conditioners and other important appliances for your new home.

Check out Mushtari Hardware for a great selection of tools you may need to fix up your new apartment, including paint, houseware, and plants.

Good luck on your move, and we hope to see you around Harlem! 

 

"Mushtari Home & Hardware's mission is to serve our Harlem Community as the local source for their home repair, garden, and decorating needs. We want to provide our neighbors with items that will turn their apartment into a home, and support the many restaurants and businesses to thrive and stay successful. We are here when our community needs us, fully stocked and always introducing unique and exciting products, on top of all the basics.

 

Mushtari was proud to be the local destination for emergency materials such as batteries, lanterns and candles during the 2011 Hurricane alert when all big box stores were quickly sold out of goods; we extended the store hours to make sure our customers were prepared for the worst.

 

Our hardware store supplies all basic plumbing and electrical materials, and housewares. We also have a garden center with plants, soils, plant foods, and a line of unique classic and modern planters, sourced from Madagascar, Vietnam, Italy, India, and Thailand.   

Located in the center of Harlem on 125th Street, between 5th & Lennox Avenues, Mushtari opened its door as the local hardware and paint store in 2007 with the goal of offering quality products and service. The store is a Benjamin Moore "Signature" paint dealer offering eco friendly paints such Natura and Aura, the best variety of colors and texture in the industry. 

 

Mushtari's vision of the future is to grow and become an integral part of the Harlem neighborhood. By providing excellent service we can all become more successful, and grow stronger roots, by building trust and cooperation with each other within the community.     

Visit our store at 31 West 125th Street and we will be happy to serve you. Please call us 212-996-5544 or visit us online: www.mushtarihardware.com "
 

Store Closings:

• Uptown Flava - 68 West 125th Street
• McDonald's - 215 West 125th Street 
• Dr Jays - 162-164 West 125th Street   

Click here for events during the month of April. Events in Harlem just about every day!

 

This week, be sure to check out...   

 Nightly Events at Aloft - Street Views - Amateur Night: Show Off! - Columbia and Empire State Development Pre-Proposal Information Session - Mama, I Want to Sing: The Next Generation - Hands On: Everyday Rituals  

and more...