On Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion
hosted an event in Wygal Auditorium in honor of Langston
Hughes as a part of the celebration of Black History
Month. Richmond's African American Repertory Theatre
came to Longwood University and put on a performance
titled "Langston is My Man."
Langston Hughes is a famous African-American poet,
particularly known for his jazz poetry. "Langston is My
Man" was a commemoration to his poems in which the
Richmond African American Repertory Theatre got on
stage and recited his poetry in a creative and energetic way.
Complete with singing and dancing, the performers were
truly passionate about their show, dressing in appropriate
attire to represent the black community of Hughes' time
and putting their all into the show.
Sophomore and Student Diversity & Inclusion Council
member Hilary Gladstone said, "It was really wonderful
hearing Langston Hughes' poems come to life." There was
even one moment in the performance where the actors on
stage started creating music with brooms and banging on
pots and pans, bringing the whole auditorium to life.
The event was meant to help students "see that Black History
Month is something that can be interesting for all students,"
according to Dr. Jamie Riley, director of the Office
of Diversity & Inclusion. Riley said, "I really wanted them
to come learn and hear something new and just be able to
enjoy and celebrate the black history."
Representing Richmond's African American Repertory
Theatre, assistant director Jerome Smith said he thought
the performance "really celebrates the life and dreams of
Langston Hughes, and it coincides with the dreams of everybody."
Smith shared, "All of us have dreams and I think
that's what Langston was all about – the dreams."
Hughes was right to chase after his dreams. In creating
his poetry, he was able to move society and help spread his
culture. Gladstone said, "There are many wonderful traditions
of many cultures." And there really are, one of them
being Hughes' lively poetry.
Black History Month has been celebrated all over campus.
The Office of Diversity & Inclusion has hosted many
events. But according to Riley, "This one was important, I
think, specifically because we were looking for activities
that were not only enjoyable, but educational for students,
and that kind of informed them on the history in a fun, different
type of way."
The audience was in awe as they watched the performers
chant Hughes' poems and, in some instances, sing their
hearts out. Riley said this show was chosen to be brought
to campus because "when we heard about ‘Langston is My
Man' as a play, we thought it was a way to expose students
to Langston Hughes' poetry from something different than
they get in the classroom."
"Langston is My Man" was an inspiring performance.
Hughes' poetry conveys some great messages about not
giving up and chasing your dreams. Smith said, "It's not
just for African-Americans, it's for everybody … the words
are so powerful, and they instill in everybody [that] we can
go as far as the sky."
The performers of "Langston is My Man" sing poems soulfully.