black misery by Langston Hughes
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illustrations by Arouni

black misery is a picture book, but should not be confused with a children's book (though children may relate to it).  They book can be read in 10 minutes but pondered over a lifetime.

Each page features a one sentence "Misery is..." statement accompanied by a beautiful illustration -- simple, yet deep on so many levels.  Despite being penned over thirty years ago black misery has meaning and relevance even today. 

In the sample above, a child hears through the media that his neighborhood is a "slum".   The neighborhood where he shoots hoops, and his sisters jump double-dutch is described as a slum -- a slum, ghetto, or inner-city, but never described as a home.  The accompanying photo poignantly expresses the hurt, humiliation, and confusion of the young boy.  Given a lifetime of hearing these negative labels associated with not only his neighborhood, but his skin tone, his culture and history, we know this young man has a tough road ahead of him.  We may be on that road ourselves.

Hughes' misery captions reminds us that we share something that is unique to African Americans.  As an African-American you may not relate to everyone of Hughes' captions but I guarantee, you'll relate to at least a few. 

black misery was first published in 1969 and was the last book Langston Hughes wrote.  He was still working on the manuscript when he died in 1967.

-Troy Johnson, AALBC.com

 

 

Related Links

The AALBC is compilied a list of "Black Misery Is..." captions
See the "Black Misery Is" captions.