--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But there are certain very practical…" description: "\"But there are certain very practical things American Negro writers can do. And must do. There's a song that says, \"the time ain't long.\" That song is r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48c/langston-hughes-1527_african-american_but-there-are-certain-very-practical-thi_1017440.png" --- # But there are certain very practical things American Negro… ![“But there are certain very practical things American Negro writers can do. And must do. There's a song that says, "the time ain't long." That song is right. Something has got to change in America-and change soon. We must help that change to come.” quote by Langston Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48c/langston-hughes-1527_african-american_but-there-are-certain-very-practical-thi_1017440.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48c/langston-hughes-1527_african-american_but-there-are-certain-very-practical-thi_1017440.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48c/langston-hughes-1527_african-american_but-there-are-certain-very-practical-thi_1017440.png) > “But there are certain very practical things American Negro writers can do. And must do. There's a song that says, "the time ain't long." That song is right. Something has got to change in America-and change soon. We must help that change to come.” [Langston Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/langston-hughes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. American Black writers must act urgently to effect change, as time is limited. **In simple terms:** Black writers must act quickly for change. Key Takeaway Take immediate, practical steps toward social change. Themes social justice activism urgency Mood determined hopeful Type activist inspirational When to use this quote - community organizing - writing advocacy - policy reform - education programs Key Concepts racial equality literature Questions to Reflect On - What practical steps can writers take now? - How to balance urgency with thoughtful strategy? A Different Perspective Urgency can lead to rushed actions lacking depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [African american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-american/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) ## Related quotes > [However, however, if the goal is to abandon America's free enterprise economy, if the goal is to convert America into a submissive member of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/however-however-if-the-goal-is-to-abandon-america-s-free-enterprise/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [When it comes to dealing with the world's climate and energy challenges, I have a simple rule: change America, change the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/when-it-comes-to-dealing-with-the-world-s-climate-and-energy/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [If we are to change America, we must change the United States Congress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kemp/if-we-are-to-change-america-we-must-change-the-united-states-congress/) [Jack Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kemp/) > [The Democratic Party has been my party over 50 years, where I waged my battle to change America and change the world from its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-dellums/the-democratic-party-has-been-my-party-over-50-years-where-i-waged-my/) [Ron Dellums](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-dellums/) > [“In America the magazines in which one can frequently publish stories or poems about Negroes are very few, and most of these do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/langston-hughes/in-america-the-magazines-in-which-one-can-frequently-publish-stories/) [Langston Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/langston-hughes/) > [Negro writers, just by being black, have been on the blacklist all our lives. 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Hold fast to dreams for when dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/langston-hughes/hold-fast-to-dreams-for-if-dreams-die-life-is-a-broken-winged-bird/) [Langston Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/langston-hughes/) > [Oh, God of Dust and Rainbows, Help us to see That without the dust the rainbow Would not be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/langston-hughes/oh-god-of-dust-and-rainbows-help-us-to-see-that-without-the-dust-the/) [Langston Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/langston-hughes/) > [I loved my friend He went away from me There's nothing more to say The poem ends, Soft as it began- I loved my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/langston-hughes/i-loved-my-friend-he-went-away-from-me-there-s-nothing-more-to-say/) [Langston Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/langston-hughes/) > [The Jewish people and the Negro people both know the meaning of Nordic supremacy. 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