Every Semester I would be informed the poem Negro by Langston Hughes is one that exasperates many. They Googled, and they Googled and they Googled. The end result is that there are heaps of information on other Negro but not the Negro they have been assigned with.
I am ecstatic. For once you have to rely on your own interpretations without relying on what others have said. My sincere advice; Switch on your creative and critical thinking self and share with the rest of the community what you have discovered about the poem Negro.
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ReplyDeleteNegro has the similar tone to "I'm nobody! Who are you?'Langston Hughes starts the poem with the line 'I am a Negro' in the first stanza. Negro here is referred to the entire African American not him alone. By addressing himself, 'I am a Negro', he identifies his race with pride and he is proud to be one. Hughes describes that his race has been a slave, worker, singer, and victim. The different roles that Hughes describes tell us that the suffers his ancestors have been through so that they have the freedom they have today. Hughes also mentions about Julius Caeser, George Washington, and the Woolworth Building to show the important roles that Negros play throughout the history. The last stanza is repetition of the first stanza. But different from the first stanza that addresses the identification of his race, the last stanza actually tells us that there are many things that we do not know about the Negros. They have been influential and contributed a lot but people like us do not acknowledge them. Personally feels that the last stanza brings the bigger impact as compared to the first stanza. This stanza makes me feel that I've been taken the Negros for granted. I barely know their history. What I could remember was only about the Negros being slaves. I can visualize how sad or frustrating it is when Hughes is writing the last stanza. 'I am a Negro! Who are you? You don't even know me!'
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletethe first line in the poem and the last line of the poem itself is repeated. in the first stanza the poet stated that he is a negro meanwhile in the final stanza, he restated that he is a negro, shows that he is not changed, not affected by what has happened to him, throughout those years.
ReplyDeletethe hardship that they have been through made them stronger no matter how long, however they will always be regards as a negro. which is a not so positive regards in the society.
A negro is always seen as the slave and a lowest class of the society. hence, in this poem, the poet highlights the hardship and the sufferings of a negro, but in the end of the day, that shall change nothing because they will always be seen as the negro.
NURUL DINIE ALIAS 152665
The first and final stanzas are the same-- both emphasizing on NEGRO, BLACK, AFRICA. I couldn't comprehend at first but after the second reading I finally understood that the poet is trying to imply it's all because of the color BLACK, yet, he is still proud of his origin. Through the poem we acknowledged that the Negro(s), just like anyone else, have contributed a lot in various fields. However, we also learned that their lives haven't been treated with fair nor rewarding. No matter what, the poet repeats 'I am a Negro' with confidence. No matter what has happened in the past, he will remain as a Negro and always be proud of it.
ReplyDeleteChoong Yar Hui- 151673
this poem is about the African american race that lives among the white people.
ReplyDeletehere the "Negro" have lived from the past till nowadays as the servant and worker from Caesar empire, to the Egypt era up to the one of the oldest sky rapers building in New York, and even work for George Washington and been a victims by the Belgian war. this show that the Negro have play the important role throughout the history.
the line "i am negro" shows have been repeated twice in the poem (line 1 and 17). this is because, he want to emphasized that he is coming from the race that is been portrayed as a servant, slave and worker and had been discriminate by the people around. he also want to tell that he is coming from that race, purely black root of family and he never forget that.
laila khalida suberi 154211
Maal Fikri Jelani 151913
ReplyDeletePride and Honor!
This is what I feel after reading the poem.
“I am a Negro:” as we can see is being repeated twice in the poem. The poet introduces himself as a Negro, and he also ended the poem with acknowledging himself as a Negro. The poet is firm to the title ‘Negro’, and with Pride opens to the whole world his true identity. What such Pride can one offer to the whole world is more worthy than the truth? I believe the poet wants the whole world to know that he has Pride being a Negro.
“I have been” as we can see is being used for the introduction from stanza 2 to stanza 5. The poet tells the whole world the challenges that a Negro have faced. His people have been slaves, workers, singers and also victims. Now, the poet stress that his people still survives and still has Honor in life. It is brilliant to see how the poet put into words the greatness that a Negro have and show it to the whole world. Honor will come to those who know who they really are, not to fake one’s identity. He also shows the whole world of how the Negro now is in par with any other races in the world.
The poem Negro is quite an interesting poem. It is one of the more direct poems which portrays the message/theme directly but in a creative way.There's isn't much play of words like all the flowery love poems that Shakespeare does but there is a play of words in a more Modern style.
ReplyDeleteWe see that the stanza "I am a Negro: Black as the night is black, black like the depth of my Africa" is repeated in the final stanza. The first stanza started off forcefully and directly stating the main message of the poem, telling readers that the persona is a Negro. It's repetition at the end is reemphasizing of the persona's identity and pride of being a Negro, that there is no shame in proclaiming that.
Then we notice that the phrase "I am" is being used to begin the first stanza and the last while for the stanzas in the middle, the phrase "I've been" is being used. I would say that as the persona is telling proudly where he has been and he has done, in the end no matter what he has been through, he is still a Negro, nothing changed and he is proud of it.
If we study the biography of the poet, Langston Hughes, we see quite some similarity of his experience and what he talked about in the poem. We can also see why he wrote the poem which reflected such pride and emphasis of the pride of being a Negro. The poet is not a pure Black (Negro), both his parents are mix of white and black but his father succumb into the society’s claims and view of the Whites being of higher rank and authority than the Blacks. He is very much against these racial issues so his poetries revolve mainly about these issues. He has been to many places as mentioned in Wikipedia
“Hughes worked various odd jobs, before serving a brief tenure as a crewman aboard the S.S. Malone in 1923, spending six months traveling to West Africa and Europe.[15] In Europe, Hughes left the S.S. Malone for a temporary stay in Paris.
During his time in England in the early 1920s, Hughes became part of the black expatriate community. In November 1924, Hughes returned to the U. S. to live with his mother in Washington, D.C. Hughes worked at various odd jobs before gaining a white-collar job in 1925 as a personal assistant to the historian Carter G. Woodson at the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. As the work demands limited his time for writing, Hughes quit the position to work as a busboy in a hotel.” - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langston_Hughes
So this reflected in the poem Negro of the various jobs mentioned. He did in fact went through all the tough times, worked different jobs, faced all kinds of people with different racial views but through that all, he still held on to his identity and is proud of his identity as a Negro.
I believe, for him, the term “Negro” refers to the heritage of the African people and perhaps the skin colour too. Although his heritage is quite balanced between the whites and the blacks, he still embraced his Negro heritage. He is proud of it. Perhaps he is angry that some races are looked down upon more than others. Thus he wrote this poem, Negro which main theme and emphasis is the core message of his heart – I am a Negro.
Dorothy Ting Siao Wei 153071
Nor Faizahaishah Bt Othaman (15239)
ReplyDeleteIn my interpretations, the poem Negro is about the writer himself. He feels proud became a Negro. From the second stanza until fifth stanza, the writer start the stanza with I’ve been whereas in first and last the stanza, the writer start the stanza with I am.
The writer start the stanza with I am, to state that he is a negro, and he proud of it. He also states that he is black, as a racist remark. People can recognize he as Negro, from his skin color that black as night. From second until fifth stanza, the writer start the stanza with I’ve been, to show that his races has been as a slave, worker, singer and victim during Harlem Renaissance, and his races has contribute a lot and people not appreciate them.
Again in the last stanza, the writer state again I am a Negro, this time he want stress on that he is a negro, and he proud born as a negro. He is proud that he is black as the night. He also not feels ashamed of his skin color black as depth of his country, Africa.
HANISAH SAFIAN
ReplyDelete152604
NEGRO.
When I said Negro, first thing comes to my mind is: Black and africa.
In this poem, it is discussed about the person, which is a ‘negro’ survive as a minor race and part of African American. It is stated that he used to be a slave, worker, singer, and also a victim. It is mean that he struggled a lot on that time. He does so much work to keep alive. Plus, there is a racism issue and full of discrimination towards them as a “negro”. They being isolated and nobody cares about them.
But, based on the poem, there is a paragraphed that was repeated twice, which is:
I am a Negro:
Black as the night is black,
Black like the depth of my Africa.
For me, it is a sign that, he will never ever regret born as a ‘negro’. Instead, he is proud of himself, and he also proud of his race.
Being a Negro is an appreciation for him.
This poem reflects back the history of African Americans and all the challenges they endured in the past and continue to endure it today. Hughes describes himself and his race as had been a slave, worker, singer and victim who suffered discrimination. They had been discriminate since a long time ago. By doing this Hughes shows himself, one black man, as the entire black race throughout history. Hughes uses many great examples in this poem, Julius Caeser, George Washington, and the Woolworth Building to show the large role black people played throughout history.
ReplyDeleteThe line say, “I am negro” were repeated twice in this poem, clearly indicate that Hughes try to tell the reader that they are proud with their root and proud to be called as negro because there is nothing to shame on about being a negro, the people how labeled negro with such a nonsense accused is the one who supposed to feel a shamed, fortunately the word "negro" is no longer used today, the word negro today can be considered as offences and racist.
nazrin i53914
from the reading that i have what can i say about this poem is, it is not that the poet wanted to show the Negros are weak, but they are very strong. this is because they are everywhere and they are also be there when people need them. even during Julius Caesar era, they were already existed.
ReplyDeletethis poem shows that Negros are important people in others life but they were also some time taken for granted because people sing them as slaves.
as a conclusion, the poet was proud of being a negro and also he was proud of his skin colour. it does not matter what other people said. he also asked other Negros to be proud of themselves.
will post another post after this
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ReplyDeleteKhaymalatha
ReplyDelete153271
Hello Puan Ju......
Hmmm...now, i have to write about a poem that has nothing to do with love.....lets see, what is this poem all about....
First and foremost, this poem is talking all about a particular race, the race of the Africans.....and it is talking about the pride of being there....
The fact is, even until today, people still talk bad about negros...they have a problem with them.....No one actually sits and realises that without this people, life would have not been how is it now....
The negro here is described to be versatile...he has been everything, a singer, a slave, a worker, and a victim....yet, he is not ashamed....instead, he is proud of himself....
Wow.....hats up for this man, for his race......he is not one who just sits and does nothing....he accepts his condition and does what he has to do....thus, this negro actually can be proud…as so many monuments, such as the pyramid, so many renowned people, such as Washington and so on actually has used his service……
He has no reason to be ashamed….He can be proud…..He can be happy…..
He has his own identity,….that stands out from the rest………thus…..the negro is a great person, so is his race…..
Being proud of yourself, no matter what, is essential in living this life….and that’s what the negro has thought me….so….kudos to the negro……
forgot to include my matric no
ReplyDeletezulaikha khairuddin
153465
Fatin nabila binti jasni 153451
ReplyDeleteFor me, the poem Negro by Langston Hughes is all about the proud, the hardness that the African-American race need to bear. They have come the long way before their race has been accepted throughout the world. They have to put up with a lot of torture and tolerate with a centuries of slavery before their race has been acknowledged like today.
In the beginning of the poem, the poet Langston Hughes mentioned about his race as a African –American. From this first stanza, I understand that Langston Hughes actually want to send a message to readers that he is very proud about his background and their physical appearance. He wants everybody to know that he is a part of the poem itself.
As the poem progressed into 2nd – 5th stanza, the poet described his race by using the words “I’ve been”. In my point of view, the poem actually describing the harness that they have endured during those hard time before his race become recognize. It was also describing on how they have passed the torture of that moment of time without gave up. For me, those few stanza (2nd – 5th) also portray that he wants to show the braveness and how his people fight hard for their life.
Last but not least, he once again mentioned the same lines as the first stanza, for me, he did so because he wants to emphasize that he is really proud and show his pride towards his race.
In my opinion this poem Negro by Langston Hughes is a very touching and inspiring poem. He wrote about the entire community of African American and not just to focus the attention on him. He says that as a Negro they have been doing all sorts of works, some very terrible and torturing but they are proud of doing that work. Even though the crowd sees it as something so discriminating he tells the readers of the poem that he is actually proud of doing those things.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, people of those days, and even now, we discriminate to a certain extent people who are different from us and especially the 'blacks'. It is very saddening and heartbreaking because we are all human but we discriminate people because of their skin color. In my opinion, we should not judge people just by looking at them. There's more than meets the eye and everyone should be given a chance and not simply being discriminated no matter of their skin color or identity.
FARAH NABILLAH MIOR YUSUP (154096)
ReplyDeleteAs I read the poet, I could feel such a strong “proud” feeling brought by the poet. Langston does shows how he so proud being a Negro through his writing. He showed to the reader how important the responsible carried by a Negro. The first paragraph also is repeated in the last paragraph shows how Langston is so proud with his own people. He also stressed how Negro plays their role as a slave, worker, singer and victim. And through the roles, they’ve played variety parts and hold so many responsible to make something achievable. Somehow I feel so sad to see how this people being discriminated by some people even they have contributed so much to the world. It is cannot be accepted where they are labeled as a bad people because of their skin color because for me, we should accept people for who they are regardless their skin colors, their races, religions etc.
Gan Shiau Yin (154568)
ReplyDeleteThis poem is about the Negro or now known as the African community who were once badly treated in every era, starting with the roman era that was ruled by Julius Caesar.
The poet starts off informing readers that he is a “Negro”. He then begins to use this poem to inform the readers that the Africans community have been enslaved since the beginning of the Roman era, they have been hanged for false accusation in Mississippi, their hands cut off as a way to earn money in Congo.
The poet then readers that his people have contribute more to world more than any other people. It was the Africans who have been made to create the materials to build the Woolworth building. It was the Africans who have been involved in building one of the wonders of the world, the pyramids. And it was the Africans who were the creators of the new type of music, ragtime.
Although all that had happen was in the past, the poet is trying to convey to readers the message that his people are still feeling the pain that was once their ancestors and they conveyed their pain through their songs.
The poet does not deny his heritage even thought they were badly mistreated as we can see in the repetition of the line ‘I am a Negro’ in the last stanza. But instead, he is proud to be a ‘Negro’. He is proud of his heritage. He is proud because his people were involved in important events in every era. He is proud because his people has come this far.
Although this poem written about the pain and suffering of the African community, it can also be felt by other communities that was once mistreated.
To me, this poem is trying to convey to us that we should be proud of our heritage. We should be thankful toward our ancestors. We should also appreciate being where we are now due to the pain and suffering of our ancestors.
SITI AWATIF BINTI HAMZAH (153126)
ReplyDeleteIn the first and last line, Hughes state about I am and I am. This is because he want to emphesize that he is a Negro. He want to emphasize on cultural identification. In the middle of the poem, he state I've been to show that happen in the past and no longer happen now. Hughes lays the poem out almost in the form of a coming of age story. He begins with the history of blacks by establishing the oppression they've faced in history that they had been the slave. When he say I've been a victim, this most directly addresses the pains incurred by the black community and the pains that are still felt today. This furthers the idea of stagnancy. On one hand centuries have passed but on the other hand they are still being mistreat.
ADIBA ZAILAN
ReplyDelete152111
As for me, the word ‘negro’ itself mean black and black symbolizes the
depth of the unknown, anger, and misfortune. I am not being racist
here, but that what comes to my mind when I think of Negro. In the
poem ‘Negro’ by Langston Hughes, I discovered that the poet actually
wants to tell the world about his people’s life back in the days when
they were mistreat by the authority. The poet used the repetition in
the first and last stanza. The statement “I am Negro; Black as the
night is black, Black like the depth of my people. “ actually means
that the poet wants the world to know that he is not ashamed to be one
of the black people, he is making a statement and confirmation about
his identity. In the second stanza until the fifth stanza, he used the
words “I’ve been” to start each stanza. In my opinion, Hughes is
trying to emphasize what they have been through in that particular
time. They have been a slave, a worker, an entertainer and most of
all, a victim of the people who were taking advantages of them. What
Hughes wants to tell the world here is his people make a big
contribution to the civilization of the world but other people just
don’t appreciate them.
--
-deebszailan-
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ReplyDeleteNik Musaini Nik Mustapha(153730)
ReplyDeleteIn the poem negro, Hughes repeat the first stanza as the last stanza because he want to emphasize that he is proud to be a negro, to have black skin, because i think he love his country and the people so much that he is really proud to be part of them.
He tell us that they, the negro, have do so many work- as a slave, a worker that build so many things from pyramid to sky-high building.they have been a singer and they also been a victim, to the Belgians in Congo and in Mississippi.
He just really proud to be a negro because he believe that they have their own strength and specialty.
I am a Negro:
ReplyDeleteBlack as the night is black,
Black like the depths of my Africa.
Negro, Hughes make the poem in my opinion is very unique and interesting way for us to study..At the first stanza, Hughes state that he is a negro and he also restate it in the last stanza because he want to tell the world that he is a negro and always be it..
He also start the other stanza with the sentence I’ve been and I ‘ve been that means he want to tell everybody that negro has being the slave…singer…worker…and victim as the whole world know the reality..he proud to be a negro and will always be like that…
Negro has been through all the tough time to get their place today..Hughes prous to be a negro and he doesn’t care about others people think…they will always be black as the night is black
Black like the depths of my africa
salam 154595
I am an Indian ...I am an Indian
ReplyDeletethis poem reminds me What You Care... I'm proud of myself.. he said that he have been slave & victim; a worker and a singe.... wat a contrast situation for him(his people). slave is meant that capture* no freedom, waiting for order.. being a victim is like being tortured.... vise, being a singer and worker, can considered a little bit of freedom.. he can work and earn some money, at the same time he have the liberty of singing and entertaining his people.his suffering people.. but still he his proud of himself...
once he was captured, tortured but now they have the liberty... he still have his identity, never give up or change.. remains the same ....How many of us are still mainting our culture and keeping your identity ????? Read this and be PROUD of what you are my dear....
tq Pn. Juridah
Isolde Hon Pei Sha (152560)
ReplyDeleteThe world has changed its persepective and thoughts.
Discrimination towards the blacks is taking a step-back.
From slaves and abuse to respect and acknoledgment.
Negros are known all over the world for their contribution in aspects of economy, social and now politics.
From the low social-class to a high social class.
From a nobody to a somebody.
From follower to a world-class leader.
For instance, Barrack Obama.
Need I say more? (^_^)
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ReplyDeleteNegro – a very meaningful poem for me though I am not a Negro;
ReplyDeleteI can feel the pain and the hard time they have been through.
For the first and last stanza, the poet made a statement and emphasized that he is a Negro, for now, before and after. He will always be the Negro for the whole life. But, for second to fifth stanza, he used ‘I’ve been….’ to let the readers know that he has been a slave, a worker, a singer and a victim. In my opinion, he does not have choices to choose whether to be a slave, worker, singer or a victim is because he is forced to do so. White people discriminated Negro, made them suffered and treated them as a slave just because of their different skin colour. They think that ‘white’ is pure while ‘black’ is impure or unpurified and they can do whatever they want on the black people. But these white people act make me feel proud and solute of the Negro. They are strong and gallant to face every tough problem. They never easily give up. I admit if I was one of the Negro during that time, I shall suicide but not face the fate. Last but not least, the Negro feels proud of them even though the other hates them so much.
So, never give up, be strong and feel proud of yourself people! Do not let other downgraded and underestimate you!
Negro...
ReplyDeleteFrom the word negro itself we know that this poem is about the natives of Africa..
The Blacks..
The world has stereotyped them as slaves ...
but Langston Hugh who was African American (mixed race)...came with his writings to show us his love to black man...
besides the poem ’Negro” he also wrote the poem “The Negro Speaks of River”..
What I understand with this poem is...although they were mostly slaves..
They have contributed so much to the world.
Everybody sees the great architecture of pyramids,Wool worth Building (the first supermarket) they will be hoo – haaing about their famous buildings,but then people forgets that if it was not for them (slaves) the work couldn’t be done. Hughes describes himself and his race as having been a slave, worker, singer and victim who suffered discrimination in several different ways from several different people in several different places. Discrimination occurs just because they are black and poor.. My favourite line in this poem is
Black as the night is black,
Black like the depth of my Africa
~ black is some magical, mysterious...so are these people. The depth shows, you will never know their strength,fortune,culture...till you explore them. . they are just simple but they created histories.
** I am not a Negro but I am Indian who is off different colour in Malaysia so I kind off felt all the words wrote by Mr. Langston Hughes.
~VIKNESWARY
~152214
amir suad asari
ReplyDelete153442
‘I am negro’ is stated in the first stanza to stress that he is an African American. He is from a race that has been through racial discrimination for ages. In the next stanzas he stated about what their race has been through. They had been all over the world, doing all kind of work, being a slave, worker, singer, and victim. He wanted to tell that his race has been treated badly by the world just because of their colour although their race had done a lot of contribution to the world. However, at the last stanza he stated again the same line as the first stanza showing that he is proud of his race and colour and will always be proud of it.
Salam.Hi Puan Ju :)
ReplyDeleteI dont know why, when i read this poem, first comes to mind is wanton hungers in africa.. i felt so down.. thinking about the children especially.. by reading I Am Negro stanza by stanza, it recalls back the history, how much they have been abused and neglected by people around the world especially white people.. Yes nowadays part of them (Negro) are famous entertainers in nationwide, but most of them still suffer a lot all around d world.. They've been slaves and victims for other's excessive desire.. I admire Langston Hughes for this poem as he is so proud of his people identity, and i found this poem is deeply scenical for people who had abused them.. i dont know why we should be differed by race, colour or even religion instead we're actually one? we all are human.
Sorry to include this here, but i remember a verse in Quran says, "O mankind! We created you from male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)." Al-Hujurat:13
That's all.thank u :)
assalamualaikum and hi puan ju
ReplyDeletezulaikha's here...
this poem is really meaningful because a black man is talking about his own people.
in this poem, we did not see a bit of regretfulness but there are so many proud feeling that we can feel. i wish i can be like the poet.
the poet is talking about how people downgrading negros and discriminate them harshly. white people especially treat them like a slave, like a useless persons but without us and the people notice, they are actually proud of themselves because they can serve people, they can give something to others and indirectly, people are actually noticing them, aware of their existance.
as a conclusion here, be proud of ourselves in whatever we do, do not bother about others as long as we know what are we doing and we also cannot underestimate people because we are just the same,
We Are Who We Are...
thank you,
zulaikha khairuddin (153465)
Hi Puan Ju! :)
ReplyDeleteCan I add some information from my previous comment?
In my point of view, one of the most important element that should be focused on this poem is the time line itself.
For instance, in this poem it is stated:
I’ve been a slave:
Caesar told me to keep his door-steps clean.
I brushed the boots of Washington.
In this stanza, the poet tries to emphasized that the negro community are already being a slave when the first president ruled the United State.
Other than that, the other stanza that shows a time line is :
I’ve been a worker:
Under my hand the pyramids arose.
I made mortar for the Woolworth Building.
In this stanza, it is clear that the negro also serve as a worker to build the Woolworth Building which is one of the first greatest building on that time.
And not to forget, negro is the people that introduced the reggae music to the world, and the music is still alive until today.
That's all Puan Ju.
Thank you. :)
NUR HANISAH SAFIAN
152604
Dyg Nurul Ezzarina bt Abg Zainal Abidin
ReplyDelete153006
Dear Pn Ju.
This is the poem i love most through out this course. I have a different interpretation on this poem. And here we goes.
For me, this poem actually represents those who's being discriminate for their difference. Yeah, like an ugly duckling, like a black sheep.
But then, in this poem, the poet does not feel ashamed of what he is. In fact, he is proud, he is fine with the fact that he is black, his race is black and used to be bullied all the time, even maybe until now.
Discrimination. How can we run from it?
It happens. All the time. In all culture. It happens in various ways. Physically, emotionally, psychologically. It happens.
But then, should we surrender ourselves to it? In this poem, the poet did not. He accepts his fate, he accepts it all and changed to what other people consider of being ashamed of to do as something a person would ever be proud to do so. Who else would have a chance to clean Mr President's shoes? Who else would have a chance to build the gigantic and historic buildings? No one, but their race, Negro.
It somehow implies on our culture too. But maybe just a little bit in a different way. For an example, some people might be embarrassed of being those who come from 'kampung'. Might even shy to eat their favorite ulam, petai, belacan etc. But hey, remember, no matter how successful we are now, we all starts from scratch. Even our ancestors come from kampung. So, what's with it? This is just a different implements of the message of "Negro" in Malaysian society. We could name it as "Saya Orang Kampung", perhaps, just to make it clear. Again, it's just a comparison of cultures.
And that, Pn Ju, is just my point of view. :)
TQ.
hi. pn. ju..
ReplyDeleteit's me najmi 151690.
in my opinion this poem is actually the reflection of the author feelings towards his society and the racism. langston actually representing himself and his races images through the poem. he try to tell the world about his origin but still he is proud to be one of the negro himself. even he pictures the negro in such an uncomfortable images but actually he wants the world to know that he and the other negro is not ashamed for who they are. and they never forget their origin and still proud of their original country the africa. so what about the discrimination?? actually they still suffer from the discrimination. but is it their fault?? people should learn from the history. racism is nothing good for the nation and human. why must we discriminate if we can live in harmony together. what is the difference between skin colour as we may know that our heart and the feeling of love is more important.
that's all about my opinion..thank you.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDear, dear Puan Ju,
ReplyDeleteThe poem “Negro” is like the sound of rhythm and blues on the bayou – it “carried my sorrow songs”, according to the fourth stanza of the poem. Regardless of its Spanish and Portuguese, or Latin, or Greek origin, “negro” is a perfect term to refer the African-Americans from the 18th century to the late 1960s. The term is, by some means, very, very provocative these days, but to the poet, “negro” is a piece of his pride to the blood in his veins.
Yes, he is a Negro – and he’s proud! Regardless of he is “black as the night is black”, his ancestors were one of an important piece in the world history. They have been a slave. They have been a worker. They have been a singer. They have been a victim. And, yes, he is a Negro – and he’s proud!
I came across “Negro” few years ago, but to go through the poem formally was recent. The first glimpse on the poem carried me to the famous faces of the Negro, particularly the one with the “sorrow songs” – Natalie Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Diana Ross, Nina Simone, Tina Turner and Dionne Warwick are the names of few. Regardless of their status as of a slave, a worker or a victim, they have been the most successful singers within the history of entertainment. They have raised from the “ashes” – the term that I am able to relate with the unkind era where the Negro have been discriminated to the limit – like a phoenix to deliver their “sorrow songs” for us to ponder about them for a while. And, yes, they are a Negro – and they’re proud!
I can relate the poem “Negro” to myself. I am from Tawau, by the way. Nothing uncommon. Yes, nothing uncommon! The equivalents of the piazzas all over Kuala Lumpur are two malls and a small number of superstores. The equivalents of KTM Berhad and Rapid KL are the classic cab and bas henti-henti. Apart from the overstatement of “nothing uncommon”, I am proud. Yes, I am from Tawau – a world, perhaps, known to no mortal of a few – but I’m proud!
"I am a Negro
Black as the night is black
Black as the depth of my Africa"
Yes, I ain’t a Negro, but, I, perhaps, am of a slave, or a worker, or a victim, but nothing can stop me from following my dreams and, God willing, be successful!
Love, Sharizan bin Sariman
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