Final answer:
Zora Neale Hurston didn't write about the 'race problem' because her work was focused on celebrating African-American culture and self-empowerment. Her commitment to individualism and racial pride defined her perspective on race, differing from the political and racial themes of her contemporaries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Zora Neale Hurston, an iconic figure of the Harlem Renaissance, preferred not to write about 'the race problem' because she wanted to celebrate African-American culture and individuals for their unique qualities, achievements, and cultural contributions. Her works centered around the themes of racial pride, self-actualization, and the African-American experience in a manner that did not directly address political or racial strife. Instead of discussing systemic oppression or discrimination in a segregated America, she chose to highlight the inner strength of her characters and their journey towards self-liberation. Moreover, her commitment to individualism and self-reliance was reflected in her criticism of government welfare programs and her opposition to Brown v. Board of Education, seeing it as an insult rather than an honor to her race. Hurston's fierce defense of her community's self-respect and her own feminist identity was integral to understanding why she did not wish to focus on political themes or racial issues as her contemporaries did.
Throughout her life, Hurston displayed a unique perspective on race that involved a deep sense of pride in her African-American and Southern identity, which she explored through her creativity and literary endeavors. Her stance was not in alignment with the prevailing sentiment among many of her African-American contemporaries, who actively sought to address racial inequality and the pains caused by systemic racism.