Chapter 6, I've Known Rivers Summary

Langston returned to Cleveland at the end of the 'Red Summer,' so named because of the violence against blacks that ensued in the post war environment. During his senior year of high school, Langston was elected editor of the yearbook, and class poet. Several of his poems were published in the school newspaper.

Although his High School had readied him for college, Langston had little chance of going on with his education because he did not have much money. However, a letter from his father, who wanted him to come to Mexico again for the summer, hinted at an opportunity to pursue a college education. His mother wanted him to get a job in Cleveland, but Langston chose to return to Mexico. On the train ride to Mexico, Langston wrote one of his better-known poems, "The...