Langston Hughes - Letters To The Editor

A great poet is one who says what needs to be said, even before the crowd knows the message is worth hearing. How fitting then was your tribute, "Langston Hughes: The 100th Birthday Celebration Of The Poet Laureate Of Black America" (April 2002), because even now, Hughes' message has yet to be fully heard.

At a time when some say "patriotism" means sinking one's singularity beneath a flag-waving sea, I'm heartened that Hughes spoke the truth. A real "American" cherishes the riches our diversity delivers. Not only is that America's rightful creed--it's the sole hope for our troubled world.

TIMOTHY CHAMBERS
Providence, R.I.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group