These feet have walked ten thousand miles working for white folks and another ten thousand keeping up with colored

These feet have walked ten thousand miles working for white folks and another ten thousand keeping up with colored

Langston Hughes, a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance, was known for his powerful and evocative poetry that captured the struggles and triumphs of African Americans in the early 20th century. One of his most famous poems, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," explores the deep connection between African Americans and the rivers that have shaped their history and culture. In a similar vein, the line "These feet have walked ten thousand miles working for white folks and another ten thousand keeping up with colored" speaks to the enduring resilience and perseverance of African Americans in the face of adversity.

Hughes himself experienced firsthand the challenges and injustices faced by African Americans during his lifetime. Born in Joplin, Missouri in 1902, Hughes grew up in a racially segregated society where opportunities for African Americans were limited. Despite facing discrimination and prejudice, Hughes was determined to pursue his passion for writing and poetry. He moved to Harlem in the 1920s, where he became a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural and artistic movement that celebrated African American art, music, and literature.