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Political Literature 2014 Public Domain—Photograph by Carl Van Vechten The Harlem Renaissance was a movement in the 1920s that produced an amazing artistic outburst celebrating African-American life and culture in the United States. One of the most important literary authors of that time was Langston Hughes. Not only did his works help shape American literature, but they also helped influence political thought. Through his creative genius, Hughes became a dominant voice promoting equality and condemning racial discrimination, social injustice, and the lack of equal opportunity for some groups of society. Producing more than 60 books, Hughes wrote in many genres: poetry, novels, plays, essays, and children's books. His most famous fictional character was Jesse B. Semple, nicknamed Simple. Through his humorous and realistic stories of Simple, Hughes protested and satirized existing injustices and made Americans aware of how whole segments of the population were denied basic rights and freedoms. "I, Too" Like other artists during the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes had a strong sense of racial pride. The poem below entitled, "I, Too," was written by Hughes in 1925 and clearly shows the author's dream that African Americans would eventually be accepted as more than second-class citizens. I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, https://learn.flvs.net/webdav/educator_globestudies_v14_gs/module10/10_02_02.htm https://learn.flvs.net/webdav/educator_globestudies_v14_gs/module10/10_02_02.htm#! And grow strong. Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed - I, too, am America. "Dream Deferred" Some of Hughes' later works show impatience with the slow progress being made to correct injustices. He wrote this poem in 1951 and called it "Dream Deferred." ● What does Hughes seem to suggest about putting off dreams of equality? ● What was he suggesting about the gathering force of the Civil Rights Movement? ● What other civil rights activists also mentioned having dreams about people of all races getting along? What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? https://learn.flvs.net/webdav/educator_globestudies_v14_gs/module10/10_02_02.htm#! Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode? Big Dreams People the world over—past, present, and future—have dreams. They dream of having a life full of meaning, without pain and suffering, and the chance to create a better world for their children to inherit. ● What are the dreams of your parents? ● What hopes do they have for your future? Have you asked them? ● What hopes do you have for your future? Throughout this course, you have been encouraged to look at issues that affect not only you, but also affect others close by or in far-off places. Hopefully, you have seen that the people and places of the world are becoming increasingly interconnected. What you dream for your future could affect the lives of others you will never see. If your dreams include accumulating material wealth that uses an unfair proportion of the world's resources, you may ultimately affect the ability of others to provide for their own basic needs. On the other hand, if you dream of finding a cure for a debilitating disease, your success may mean that thousands can expect to live a life free of suffering. Through the ages, there have been individuals who have expressed their dreams in words that have had a great impact on other people. Despite the fact there were people who dismissed, derided, disparaged, and cruelly ridiculed them for the dreams they held, they knew no one could take away their dreams unless they gave them up. "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." ~Martin Luther King "The world will live in peace, only when the individuals composing it make up their minds to do so. You must be the change you wish to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi Focus Your Dreams Dreams mean the hopes, goals, and aspirations of a person or group of people. In the business world, dreams are often focused into what is called a mission statement. This may be a good way for you to understand what is meant by dreams. View each of the screens in the slideshow below to explore mission statements. 1. What Is a Mission Statement? Mission statements have become a popular way in today's business world to define what an organization is all about. A well-written mission statement provides a driving force behind increased productivity, improved customer satisfaction, and higher profits. But mission statements need to be more than a slick slogan that is designed to make people work harder and produce more. A good mission statement should be the foundation upon which goals are built and daily decisions are made that will move not only the business, but individuals towards success. 2. What Should a Mission Statement Do? ● Describe what you are trying to accomplish and what you think is important ● Explain "who you are," "what you do," and "where you are headed" Do you need a mission statement? The answer is Yes if you will think seriously about your future! Mission statements are a dream for the future. 3. Questions to Consider ● In what do I believe as the guiding principles for my life? ● What do I hope to accomplish in my lifetime? ● What contributions to society would I like to make? ● How will I most want to be remembered by my family and community? ● What are my strengths? ● What will I need to do in order to improve my weaknesses? Inspirational Words Dreams provide inspiration, not only for personal mission statements but also as a plan for successful living. What do you think each of the following people was really saying about his or her belief in the importance of dreams? https://learn.flvs.net/webdav/educator_globestudies_v14_gs/module10/10_02_04.htm "I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." ~Henry David Thoreau "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." ~Anatole France "Nothing happens unless first a dream." ~Carl Sandburg "Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning." ~Gloria Steinem "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~Eleanor Roosevelt "Only as high as I reach can I grow. Only as far as I seek can I go. Only as deep as I look can I see. Only as much as I dream can I be." ~Karen Ravn Inspirational Words, Continued "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." ~Goethe "It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow." ~Robert H. Goddard "I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one with no thought to their separateness as Negroes, Jews, Italians or any other distinctions. This will be the day when we bring into full realization the American dream—a dream yet unfulfilled. A dream of equality of opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed; a dream of a land where men will not take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few; a dream of a land where men will not argue that the color of a man's skin determines the content of his character; a dream of a nation where all our gifts and resources are held not for ourselves alone, but as instruments of service for the rest of humanity; the dream of a country where every man will respect the dignity and worth of the human personality." ~Martin Luther King, Jr. Read more More Inspirational Quotes from Inspiration Peak. Assignment This lesson has provided you an opportunity to review quotes and writings indicating the dreams of the authors. You have explored mission statements and considered what you need to write your own mission statement. Instructions: 1. Think about everything you have learned in this course. Reflect on what Gandhi said about you being the change you wish to see in the world. With these thoughts, write a mission statement for your future. Remember, in many ways, mission statements are dreams for the future. 2. Once you have written your own mission statement, post your mission statement in the Discussion area of the course. 3. Read the mission statements of your fellow cub reporters. 4. Select one of your classmates' mission statements that strikes you as the most challenging or interesting and write an encouragement posting to that person regarding his or her goals. Your posting must include: 1. Explanation of what you find the most challenging or interesting aspect of his or her goals. "Your goal seems the most challenging (interesting) to me because..." 2. Statement comparing him or her to one of the authors of an inspirational quote provided in this lesson. "I think your idea of dreams (goals) is like {name of author} because..." 3. Reason why you hope he or she is able to accomplish his or her goals. "I hope you accomplish your goals. Your goals would have the greatest effect on the world because..." 5. Be sure to watch the Discussion area to see who responds to your mission statement. Post a response of "thanks" when someone offers you an encouraging word. With this in mind, it would be nice to make more than one post if you find there is someone who is in need of encouragement. 6. Review the rubric for how you will be graded on this assignment. http://l.flvsgl.com/GSL0b07a3fa3044be9c3782eaa4281296859/