Freedom from Religion in the Poetry of Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes regularly expressed critical views towards organized religion, specifically highlighting its function in upholding societal structures and perpetuating racial injustice. In many of poems, he provocatively presents a depiction of a Christ figure of African descent, so raising inquiries regarding the ethical implications of a religious belief system that permits racial discrimination. His poems underscore the imperative of attaining liberation from the religious doctrine that perpetuates acts of injustice. In his works, Hughes articulates a sense of disenchantment towards the Christian faith and the concept of Jesus as a redemptive figure and theorizes that the Church has been unproductive in addressing the practical challenges faced by the African-American community, placing emphasis on the need for freedom from religious establishments that provide limited comfort.