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For hundreds of years people have been hated, tortured, and even killed because of their ethic background, religion, and/or race. People have been treated with animosity as a result of being black, gay, Jewish, mentally challenged, lower class, Indian, etcetera. Langston Hughes, a famous black author, was a victim of this austere rancor. Through his works, some created first hand from his own life experiences, Langston hoped to change the way people treated each other. His writing portrayed the everyday practices of African Americans, and focused on the issues of racism and the failure of African Americans to realize the American Dream. These were best presented in his most clear-cut and candid short stories. James Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1902. His father deserted his family and he was subsequently raised by his grandmother. His grandfather died during the insurrection at Harpers Ferry. Hughes’ Grandmother played a major role in his life. She taught him about famous black people in society in the early 1900’s. She educated him about Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and introduced him to the writings of William Du Bois at an early age. Langston’s grandmother also took him to se