The Ways of White Folks: Stories
by Langston Hughes
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Read in January, 2008
Beautifully written short stories that serve a slice of historical perspective to which I don't usually have access. Hughes' language is rich and detailed.
Hughes' depiction of white people is...unfavorable, ranging from condescending rich liberals fixated on the "primitive" expressions of those exotic dark people - to overt discrimination and brutality. Unsurprising, considering the racial climate of America in the 30's...and today. His depiction of black people is appreciative ...more
Hughes' depiction of white people is...unfavorable, ranging from condescending rich liberals fixated on the "primitive" expressions of those exotic dark people - to overt discrimination and brutality. Unsurprising, considering the racial climate of America in the 30's...and today. His depiction of black people is appreciative ...more
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Read in July, 2008
It would be tempting to dismiss the some of the racism in these stories as too explicit to be relevant--an artifact from another time and place--but to do so is to invite the blindness, privilege, and hubris that plagues the "white folks" of this book. Although race relations are less about lynchings than they were in Hughes' time, the misunderstandings and mistrust are the same.
This book is slight, the writing spare, but Hughes' poetic will punch you in the gut.
This book is slight, the writing spare, but Hughes' poetic will punch you in the gut.
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Read in January, 2008
Sad to say, I'd never read any essays or prose written by Langston Hughes before my book club selected this title. It's an easy read and I really enjoyed the short stories in the book. Excellent title to read to have a window into 1920s and 30s America, with all of its racial and historical complexities. And it was certainly a book that sparked a lot of discussion!
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This book made me ache inside. Hughes is an excellent writer and his stories are like razor blades that draw fine little lines in your heart. You don't even realize you're bleeding until it's done.
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Read in January, 2008
sad stories about racism, dealing not only with the southern u.s. and all its obvious hang-ups about race but also with the northern sates and those who would usually congratulate themselves on their kind-hearted open mindedness and benevolence when it comes to dealing with other races.
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Read in July, 2007
Great short stories about the strange codes and conventions of the south post civil war, pre civil rights. Nothing fancy about writing style, which surprised me, because Hughes is also a poet. All stories are slice of life type stuff, more often than not, ending tragically.
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
Racists with Consciences
I think he is more known for his work in poetry, but I absolutely enjoyed reading through this piece. It gives you a different perspective of racism during the 1920s, and one that you know you can trust since it comes from a man who experienced such things first-hand.
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"Only the Marxian students seemed sound to her for they, at least, wanted people to have enough to eat. But the rest of the controversies, as far as she could fathom, were based on air." -from "The Blues I'm Playing"
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Funny, sad, and introspective all at the same time...Ways of White Folks is a collection of stories about what happens when whites and blacks interact. Very interesting
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recommends it for:
Everyone
I recommend this powerful little book to anyone searching for insight on how things were, and even though they change, some things always remain the same.
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Read in July, 2006
A study of priviliege and abuse. Stories seemingly should be viewed not as white v. black, but as the tyranny of any group against another.
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Read in December, 2003
Incredible and very hard to read. Reminded me of Flannery O'Connor in that it shows the horrible side of people and the sad part of life.
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recommends it for:
those seeking social justice
I discovered that Langston Hughes wrote more than poetry with this book. Very good.
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recommends it for:
Serious readers.
I found the book relentless, as I'm sure Langston Hughes's life often was.
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I love poetry so Langston Hughes is a must for those poets out there
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Read in February, 1995
I was reminded again of the genius of this most prolific writer!
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