This is a discussion of the lives and times of Langston Hughes, Richard Wright, and Ralph Ellison; three black American writers whose individual and collective literary influence helped shape the face of this great nation. Although unique, these three men shared a number of commonalities. This discussion will explore their individual literary successes and themes. It will also expose how each of their early origins affected the writings of this intellectually numerous and pioneering minority, powerful creators of American history. While most people can spend their lives trying to find a way to make a reasonable difference to those around them. , Langston, Richard and Ralph each discovered their contribution, through simply honest expression. These few men helped strengthen and perpetuate the American heartbeat by sharing with the world what they felt inside, at a time when their exterior was unacceptable to many. Although not without controversy, these three elements nevertheless helped to forge a great and wonderful American paradigm shift of tolerance and understanding. From 1902 to 1994, America witnessed the lives of our subjects. The first to arrive was Langston Hughes. Born in Joplin, Missouri, on February 1, 1902, he was the second child of schoolteacher Carrie Mercer Langston and James Nathaniel Hughes. Langston was born into a politically active elite family, whose ancestry was racially mixed. In 1888, Hughes' great-uncle, John Mercer Langston, became the first African American elected to the United States Congress from Virginia. In 1858, Langston's maternal grandfather, Charles Henry Langston, worked for the abolitionist cause and helped lead Ohio...... middle of paper ......into a trumpeter from his earliest days young age on top of everything else.Ralph had a wonderful life by most standards. He helped the world understand the contributions of African Americans to America's national identity. In 1969, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1994, Ralph Ellison died of pancreatic cancer. America owes a lot to Langston Hughes, Richard Wright and Ralph Ellison. In their works, wonder ceases; suffering seems to have a purpose. But without the painful disadvantages of their young lives and others like them, there would not be the fire, drive or ambition necessary to set the record straight, or to bring to light what all the eyes should see. In their contributions, Americans of yesterday, today and tomorrow are better able to look in a historical mirror and unlock the secrets of national reflection..