Not Without Laughter

by Langston Hughes

When niggers get up in the world, they act just like white folks—don’t pay you no mind.

the anger fell like a veil from Hager’s face, disclosing aged, helpless eyes full of fear and pain.

White folks sure is a case!” She laid three slices of bread on top of the stove. “So spoiled with colored folks waiting on ’em all their days! Don’t know what they’ll do in heaven, ’cause I’m gonna sit down up there myself.”

One thing sho, de Lawd ain’t prejudiced!”

I been knowin’ white folks all ma life, an’ they’s good as far as they can see—but when it comes to po’ niggers, they just can’t see far, that’s all.”

The great heavy flakes fell with languid gentility over the town and silently the whiteness covered everything.