Final answer:
The poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes highlights the theme of perseverance amidst adversity, mirroring the experiences of African Americans during the 1920s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes represents a response to the social issues of the 1920s by encouraging African Americans to continue moving forward despite facing hardships, such as segregation. This is evident as Hughes employs the metaphor of a crystal stair to depict a life of ease that the mother in the poem has not had. Instead, her life has been full of obstacles, exemplified by tacks, splinters, and torn-up boards. Through this, the message conveyed is one of persistence and resilience in the face of adversity, a sentiment that mirrors the wider experiences of African Americans during the early 20th century, who were forcefully navigating the injustices of segregation and racial discrimination.
Furthermore, Hughes's work carries the legacy of a family that championed justice and inclusion, which is reflected through the determination and hope communicated in the poem. The mother's advice to her son is symbolic of the broader advice and encouragement given to the African American community to persevere regardless of the numerous barriers imposed upon them, socially and economically. This poem is thus aligned with the first option of the student's question.