Harlem Literature

In the early 1940's, Langson Hughes creeated a character named Jess B. Semple. This character represented the black man of that age and told stories and stated social commentary that was quite funny. One of his commentaries was named Semple on Indian Blood which talked bout my race and how we claim to having Indian blood running through our veins (which we do claim). I have been known to claim this as my maternal great grandmother was fullblooded Cherokee Indian. She had long beautiful black hair that my grandma told me she liked to brush. Anyway in the story Semple states that we use this claim of Indian blood as a reason for our getting into fights. This lecture also talks about women and how we want them to act and look (old fashioned and modern at the same time). Talked about Creole women and how beautiful but crazy they are. States a pretty woman will get a man into trouble. Also states that everyone should take other people as they are-the world would be alot simpler. Last Whipping is a story about love of family, respect for your elders, and caring for the people who care for you. Simple tells us about his Aunt Lucy, who raised him after his mother died, who is forced to whip Jesse for stealing one of her prized pullet hens—a hen that Jesse gave to a girl for a Sunday School picnic. When Simple hears that he’s going to be whipped, he resists because he’s a man, going on seventeen and big as an ox. But when his Aunt begins to cry, saying things like she thinks she’s failed in raising Jesse to be good, Jesse submits to the whipping and promises to behave himself. He tells us that “from that day to this, I have tried to behave myself.” He then stated, "That was his last whipping!" Very funny story indeed. Semple was a unique character that dealt with racism using honesty, humor, and determination.