The Bombing of Race by Another

Langston Hughes depicts life interrupted by a different kind of bombing by man kind in "Air Raid over Harlem." There was a different kind of pride when you talked about Harlem in 1935. In 1935 Harlem was the place to be. At least that is what many African American, or colored folks as we were referred to back then. Many African Americans migrated from the South, forever searching for a better way of life. Just as immigrants came to America hearing stories of "streets paved with gold," the South had its stories of fortune and beauty up North in Harlem for colored folks.

Harlem's beauty was in its skin. "Look at my streets Full of black and brown and Yellow and high-yellow Jokers like me." (Ll. 11-14) The beauty of color exhilarates the pride filled words. It makes me want to say Harlem is where I live. Then the laughter of life is disrupted and almost silenced, perhaps killed by the bombs of whiteness. "BOMBS OVER HARLEM Cops on every corner Most of 'em white COPS IN HARLEM Guns and billy-clubs Double duty in Harlem." (Ll. 23-28)

The disruption of peace in Harlem was not caused by the citizens who lived there but by the political structure that seeks to contain the people of Harlem. Why was there a need for "Under every light Their faces WHITE In Harlem." (Ll. 30-33) While I am guesting Langston Hughes probably used the wording of "Under every light" to drive home the point it was the over kill of the presents of White police officers that was killing Harlem's beauty and him. "Air Raid over Harlem," gives a moving depiction of life interrupted even killed by the bombing of one race by another.