Jazz Quote by Langston Hughes
“Jazz, to me, is one of the inherent expressions of Negro life in America: the eternal tom-tom beating in the Negro soul - the tom-tom of revolt against weariness in a white world, a world of subway trains, and work, work, work; the tom-tom of joy and laughter, and pain swallowed in a smile.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Negro Artist and the Racial Problem, 1926
Jazz embodies the African American spirit, expressing resistance, joy, and pain amid oppression.
In simple terms: Jazz reflects Black life’s struggle and joy.
Key Takeaway
Listen to the rhythm of resistance.
Themes
music
culture
resistance
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
cultural
political
When to use this quote
- civil rights protests
- music education
- cultural festivals
Key Concepts
expression
identity
oppression
Questions to Reflect On
- How does music sustain cultural memory?
- Can art stay political?
A Different Perspective
Jazz can be commercialized, losing its protest edge.
