While others might say that Langston Hughes utilizes his poetry solely to emphasize blacks' points of views during various time periods, all of his poems-"I,Too," "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," and "The Weary Blues"- tell stories that elucidate the struggle, oppression, and ultimate beauty of blacks and black culture in history. In "I, Too," Hughes narrates as a defiant black man who is determined to have people "see how beautiful" he is. The narrator is determined to witness the end of the ongoing racism and to experience triumph. Like Morta of the fates, he is determined to see the end of a life. But unlike Morta, who cuts the thread of life and determines death, Hughes is determined to "cut" a life and mentality in society that is characterized by segregation."The Weary Blues" is a poem that documents the firsthand experiences of the solemn nature and emotion that a jazz musician expresses. The impact of jazz, unlike the high-volume rock n roll music of Jimi Hendrix, was of sorrow and dismay, leaving black American community with a constant feeling of hopelessness. In "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" Hughes describes himself as one who has experienced the "rivers" of oppression throughout history that causes his soul to grow "deep". The oppression following blacks across history is similar to the fire that follows Jeanette Walls in The Glass Castle; both blacks and Walls want to rid themselves of their troubles. However, unlike Walls' motif of fire, Hughes implies that there has not been a complete end to the oppression of blacks. Although he witnesses "the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to the New Orleans," Hughes repudiates the full understanding and appreciation of African Americans.

Blacks have experienced oppression and struggle throughout history and still do today. With each of his poems, Hughes questions the prevalence of black oppression in today's society as well as in history. He challenges our understanding of beauty of black culture and questions whether racism is a thing of the past or a matter that is ongoing like the infinite essence of outer space.