LANGSTON HUGHES: AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WRITER’S OBSERVATIONS ON SOVIET RUSSIA AND CENTRAL ASIA

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This paper aims to examine, in the light of his autobiography I Wonder as I Wander, African American writer Langston Hughes’ impressions of Soviet Russia and Central Asia where he went in 1932 for a film production. The first section of the study discusses the arrival of twenty two invited African Americans, Hughes among them, at Moscow to actualize a film project which would deal with the problems of black people in America, the group’s disappointment with the cancelation of the project, and the eventual separation of the group. The second section examines Hughes’ and a small group’s visit to Central Asia, upon the decision of the group to return to Moscow after visiting some cities, Hughes’ resolution to continue the excursion alone, his discoveries and evaluations about the developments in Ashgabat, Samarkand, Bokhara, and Merv and their environs where he stayed a couple of months. Consequently it is emphasized that, as a modest person, Hughes succeeded in causing the meeting of African Americans with Central Asians particularly in a non-white context.

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Langston Hughes , I wonder as I wander , film project , Central Asia , African American

Journal Of Turkish Research Institute

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Journal Of Turkish Research Institute