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Article: A legend of many cultures: Writers, musicians and actors can sight influence of Langston Hughes.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service
- Article date:
- January 30, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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They are literary empresses now, but back in the 1960s, Alice Walker and Paule Marshall were just glad to be in Langston Hughes' presence.
Both novelists acknowledge they built their careers partly because of his wisdom and influence. What's odd about Hughes, though, is that it's not only writers he's influenced.
He championed African-American culture, not just literature. His writing had a musicality that incorporated elements of blues. His poetry drew on jazz rhythms. He wrote Hollywood screenplays. Nearly 35 years after his death in 1967, he remains compelling to novelists and poets, but also to actors and musicians.
So it's fitting that the ...