Good day, readers. Today is February 1st, the 32nd day of the year 2024, with 334 days remaining.
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
Oscar Wilde
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1902, Langston Hughes, a leader of the Harlem Renaissance and an influential figure in American literature, was born. Hughes’ poetry and fiction centered around the lives and struggles of African Americans, and his work is celebrated for its insightful commentary on race, social justice, and the human condition.
Notable Birthdays:
Clark Gable (February 1, 1901 – November 16, 1960), an iconic American film actor often referred to as “The King of Hollywood,” was born on this day. His performances in film adaptations of major literary works, such as Gone with the Wind, have left a lasting imprint on both cinema and literature.
Today’s Readings:
From The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes: “I got the Weary Blues And I can’t be satisfied. Got the Weary Blues And can’t be satisfied— I ain’t happy no mo’ And I wish that I had died.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On February 1, 1960, four African American college students sat down at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, sparking a sit-in movement that spread to other southern states. This act of civil disobedience is well-documented in both scholarly texts and non-fiction narratives that explore the complexities of the Civil Rights Movement.
Poem of the Day:
“The Mower” by Philip Larkin
The mower stalled, twice; kneeling, I found
A hedgehog jammed up against the blades,
Killed. It had been in the long grass.
I had seen it before, and even fed it, once.
Now I had mauled its unobtrusive world
Unmendably. Burial was no help:
Next morning I got up and it did not.
The first day after a death, the new absence
Is always the same; we should be careful
Of each other, we should be kind
While there is still time.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by Langston Hughes’ commitment to exploring and articulating complex social issues, consider how your writing can address contemporary themes. Engaging with current events and societal developments can provide depth to your work and connect with readers on a profound level.
Have a thoughtful and inspired day, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your creative pursuits enrich your understanding and broaden your perspectives.