Blackness as Artistic Material
Hughes argues that if aspiring Black artists would fully embrace their Blackness as central to their artistic production, they would discover a wealth of material in the process. As such, Hughes suggests that artists like the young poet at the beginning of the essay—who resist being known as "Negro" artists—are ironically missing out on inspiration for their work.
Dullness of Whiteness
Throughout the essay, Hughes argues that those Black citizens who have chosen to eschew their Blackness and assimilate to white culture are, in fact, dispelling the most vibrant and powerful feature of their personhood. As such, Hughes frequently implies that whiteness is dull, drab, and mundane, part of a homogeneity that Blackness helps penetrate. A Black artist who aspires to whiteness, therefore, will never be able to create truly unique or impactful art.
