Question

according to this excerpt, why is it important that the near intellectuals expose themselves to Bessie Smith, paul robeson, and other african american artists? excerpt from "the negro artist and thr racial mountain".

Answer 1

In "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain," Langston Hughes discusses how African American artists who want to become recognized often feel they will face added hardship and scrutiny because of their race. Therefore, they try to "pass" as white, denying themselves the exploration of their own voice. Hughes believes that if they were to be exposed to African American artists, they would be more likely to celebrate their identity instead of denying it.

Answer 2

The near intellectuals in this work are the black writers or artists who don't embrace their ethnicity: the speaker argues that they have to expose themselves to the artists mentioned to learn not to be ashamed of their roots and to express them in their art.