HARPER'S MAGAZINE
Editorial Rooms

OFFICE OF THE EDITOR

49 EAST 33D STREET
NEW YORK 16, N. Y.

April 12, 1961

Mr. Langston Hughes
c/o Alfred A. Knopf
501 Madison Avenue
New York, New York

Dear Mr. Hughes:

I am writing to ask if you might contribute one of your original manuscripts to be auctioned off May 9 for the benefit of the Negro student sit-in movement in the United States.

As the accompanying announcement explains, all the funds collected will go to the Congress of Racial Equality, the organization which has provided the principal leadership for the sit-in movement. A number of prominent artists have already contributed paintings and if we can obtain manuscripts from writers like yourself, it will greatly enhance the possibilities of a successful auction.

I hope that you will read the accompanying statement and that it will be possible for you to donate a manuscript. If you can, please send the manuscript, (along with an estimate of its value if you like) to:

Mr. Marvin Rich
CORE - 38 Park Row
New York 38, New York

If there is any problem or question concerning your donation please get in touch with me.

RBS:nm
enc.

HARPER & BROTHERS

—LAW DAY U.
FREEDOM UNDER
MAY 1
4c
U.S. POSTAGE

Mr. Langston Hughes

s/o Alfred A. Knopf
501 Madison Avenue
New York, New York

Poem: STRANGE ANGEL
1st draft handwritten-4/27-61
OndPdrft typed--4-30-61

C

April 30, 1961

Mr. Marvin Rich,
CORE, 38 Park Row,
New York 38, N. Y.

Dear Mr. Rich:

I have been away from New York a great deal this winter and spring, so I haven't been writing much---mostly lecture tours---all the way to the Coast. I am sorry I haven't a more interesting draft to send for the CORE auction---in answer to a request from Robert Silvers. But this, at least, is the latest thing I have written, a little late-night poem, STRANGE ANGEL.

With all good wishes for the success of the auction,

Copy to
Robert Silvers

WESTERN UNION

TELEGRAM

W. P. MARSHALL, PRESIDENT

SF-1201 (4-60)

The filing time shown in the date line on domestic telegrams is LOCAL TIME at point of origin. Time of receipt is LOCAL TIME at point of destination

NB 162 (24) SYC543
N N UJA077 NL PD
UJ NEW YORK NY 6
LANGSTON HUGHES
20 EAST 127 ST NYK

1964 FEB 6 PM 6 51

RED BANK, N.J. HAS JERICO FOR EARLY MARCH. WANT YOU TO COME
FOR PRESS CONFERENCE 8 P.M. SUNDAY 2/9. THEY ASKED ME TO FIND
OUT IF YOU CAN MAKE IT. PLEASE CALL ME CO 76270 DAY OR AD 4-7274
NIGHT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO I CAN LET THEM KNOW. AGAIN ENJOYED
SHOW VERY MUCH

BOB GORE, ASST. COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR NATIONAL CORE
8 2/9 CO 76270 AD 4-7274

a national organization with affiliated local groups working

RACIAL EQUALITY

CORE

to abolish racial discrimination by direct, nonviolent methods

38 PARK ROW
NEW YORK 38, NEW YORK
COrlandt 7-6270

James Farmer
national director

Richard Haley
associate
gordon Carey
assistant
carl Rachlin, Esq.
general counsel

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Ralph Abernathy
James Baldwin
Roger N. Baldwin

Katrina M. Barnes

Algernon D. Black

James B. Carey

Allan Knight Chalmers

Grenville Clark

John Cogley

Earl B. Dickerson

Eugene E. Frazier

Harold Gibbons

Roland B. Gittelsohn

Sidney Hollander

George M. Houser

E. Stanley Jones

Bishop F. D. Jordan

Martin Luther King

Douglas Levin

David Livingston

Will Maslow

A. J. Muste

Dorothy Norman

A. Philip Randolph

Ira DeA. Reid

Hobson R. Reynolds

Jackie Robinson

Arnold M. Rose

Fred M. Shuttlesworth

Lillian Smith

C. K. Steela

Gardner Taylor

Howard Thurman

Bishop W. J. Walls

Goodwin Watson

Joseph Willen

Jerry Wurf

Charles S. Zimmerman

OFFICERS

Floyd B. McKissick
chairman

Rudolph Lombard

1st vice chairman

Wilfred Ussery

2nd vice chairman

Ralph Rosenfeld
secretary

Alan Gartner
treasurer

James Peck
CORElator editor

STAFF

Norman Hill
program director

James McCain
director of organization

Marvin Rich
community relations director

October 20, 1964

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York, New York

Dear Langston,

As a prelude to asking you for a special favor we should first like to introduce you to the new CORE Southern Education Project. Organized less than a year ago, we have collected and shipped over 50,000 assorted books and over $10,000 worth of equipment to new Educational community centers in Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia. (Enclosed are additional particulars) To raise funds for shipment of these supplies to the South we have sponsored talent programs, rallies, art shows, etc. Presently we are planning on printing note cards carrying the enclosed Tom Feelings print, and we would like to ask you to write us a special little poem to go on back of the card. On the bottom of the card would be noted: *This poem written especially for the CORE Southern Education Project by the distinguished American Negro poet, Langston Hughes.

Please let us hear from you at your earliest convenience.

CIGER

13

CORE

CORE METROPOLITAN
LEGAL DEFENSE COMMITTEE

December 3, 1964

XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Ralph Abernathy
James Baldwin
Roger N. Baldwin
Katrina M. Barnes
Algernon D. Black
James B. Carey
Allan Knight Chalmers
Grenville Clark
John Cogley
Earl B. Dickerson
Eugene E. Frazier
Harold Gibbons
Roland B. Gittelson
Sidney Hollander
George M. Houser
E. Stanley Jones
Bishop F. D. Jordan
Martin Luther King
Douglas Levin
David Livingston
Will Maslow
A. J. Muste
Dorothy Norman
A. Philip Randolph
Ira DeA. Reid
Walter P. Reuther
Hobson R. Reynolds
Jackie Robinson
Arnold M. Rose
Fred M. Shuttlesworth
Lillian Smith
C. K. Steela
Gardner Taylor
Howard Thurman
Bishop W. J. Wills
Goodwin Watson
Joseph Willen
Jerry Wurf
Charles S. Zimmerman

OFFICERS

48 West 125 St.
New York, N.Y.
En 9-0100

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127 Street
New York, New York

Dear Mr. Hughes:

I would like to make a special request to list your name
as one of the sponsors of our Committee along with other illustrious
names such as: James Farmer, Frederick O'Neal, Rev. Martin Luther
King, James Baldwin, Ossie Davis, Elia Kazan, Sammy Davis, Jr. and
others.

C.O.R.E. Legal Defense Committee is an independent, non-
governmental, non-profit, non-political organization which works
in accord with the constitution and rules of action of National
C.O.R.E. It has been formed to give sufficient legal aid to civil
rights volunteers in their quest for freedom for all American under
the banner of C.O.R.E. non-violent action. Furthermore, this Committee
will be governed by tax exemption laws.

Would you kindly send me a letter of approval? An early
reply will be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Yours for freedom and brotherhood,

Billy Reed, Chairman

CORE METROPOLITAN

LEGAL DEFENSE COMMITTEE

72

CORE
RACIAL EQUALITY

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Ralph Abernathy
James Baldwin
Roger N. Baldwin
Katrina M. Barnes
Algernon D. Black
James B. Carey
Allan Knight Chalmers
Grenville Clark
John Cooley
Earl B. Dickerson
Eugene E. Frazier
Harold Gibbons
Roland B. Gittelsohn
Sidney Hollander
George M. Houser
E. Stanley Jones
Bishop F. D. Jordan
Martin Luther King
Douglas Levin
David Livingston
Will Maslow
A. J. Muste
Dorothy Norman
A. Philip Randolph
Ira DeA. Reid
Walter P. Reuther
Hodson R. Reynolds
Jackie Robinson
Arnold M. Rose
Fred M. Shuttlesworth
Lillian Smith
C. K. Steele
Gardner Taylor
Howard Thurman
Bishop W. J. Walls
Goodwin Watson
Joseph Willen
Jerry Wurf
Charles S. Zimmerman

OFFICERS

Floyd B. McKissick
chairman
Rudolph Lombard
1st vice chairman
Wilfred Ussery
2nd vice chairman
Ruth Turner
secretary
Alan Gartner
treasurer
James Peck
CORElator editor
STAFF
Richard Haley
associate
Gordon Carey
assistant
Carl Rachlin, Esq.
general counsel
James McCain
director of organization
Marvin Rich
community relations director

April 21, 1965

Dear Mr. Hughes:

The CORE Southern Education Project has compiled a comprehensive bibliography of books on Negro history, literature, culture and social commentary pursuant to the writing and publishing of a CORE GUIDE TO NEGRO HISTORY, LITERATURE & CULTURE in the near future. The GUIDE will carry synopses written by a professional staff of volunteer writers, critics, and editors. Lengthy reviews will be made of all significant books in print while significant books out of print will be given bibliographical sketches. This book will also carry illustrations by professional artists on outstanding highlights in Negro history.

All proceeds from this handsome booklet will be used to help equip educational community centers in Mississippi, Louisiana and other states in the deep South. The CORE Guide will be available for sale to CORE chapters, other civil rights organizations, as well as labor, community, educational and fraternal organizations.

May we invite your participation in this vital project. You could make a significant contribution by writing a 1000 word essay for us on THE NEGRO CULTURAL RENAISSANCE. We understand that you have a busy schedule and we would extend the maximum amount of time of six weeks to receive the essay.

BAB/vt

Enc:

167

CORE

38 PARK ROW • NEW YORK 38, NEW YORK

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127 Street
New York, N.Y.

263

CORE

38 PARK ROW
NEW YORK 38. NEW YORK
Cortlandt 7-6270

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Ralph Abernathy
James Baldwin
Roger N. Baldwin
Katrina M. Barnes
Algernon D. Black
James B. Carey
Allan Knight Chalmers
Grenville Clark
John Cogley
Earl B. Dickerson
Eugene E. Frazier
Harold Gibbons
Roland B. Gittelson
Sidney Hollander
George M. Houser
E. Stanley Jones
Bishop F. D. Jordan
Martin Luther King
Douglas Levin
David Livingston
Will Masiow
A. J. Muste
Dorothy Norman
A. Philip Randolph
Ira DeA. Reid
Walter P. Reuther
Hodson R. Reynolds
Jackie Robinson
Arnold M. Rose
Fred M. Shuttlesworth
Lillian Smith
C. K. Steele
Gardner Taylor
Howard Thurman
Bishop W. J. Walls
Goodwin Watson
Joseph Willen
Jerry Wurf
Charles S. Zimmerman

OFFICERS
Floyd B. McKissick
chairman

Rudolph Lombard
1st vice chairman
Wilfred Ussery
2nd vice chairman
Ruth Turner
secretary
Alan Gartner
treasurer
James Peck
CORElator editor
STAFF
Richard Haley
associate
gordon Carey
assistant
Carl Rachlin, Esq.
general counsel
James McCain
director of organization
Marvin Rich
community relations director

August 6, 1965

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York, N. Y.

Dear Mr. Hughes:

The CORE Guide to Negro History, Literature and Social Commentary, a vital in-progress book for civil rights organizations, the labor movement and the Negro people, is progressing according to plan. We are pleased to have the participation of such outstanding personalities as John O. Killens, J. Saunders Redding, Arna Bontemps, Truman Nelson, Herbert Hill, Ossie Davis, as well as many civil rights leaders. There are, however, many essays still to be written for the CORE GUIDE. We know that you could make a significant contribution to this project, so we take this opportunity to invite your participation.

But first let us tell you a bit about the format of the book. Compiled for a reading public of a senior high school level, the CORE GUIDE is designed for the widest serious reading audience. Each chapter opens with an essay, ranging from 1500 to 2500 words, dealing with an historical milestone in Negro history, and follows with synopses (not by the same author) of principal resource books on that theme. At the end of the book there will be a comprehensive bibliography of all worthwhile books on Negro history, literature and social commentary for use as easy reference for the reader.

Proceeds from this book will be used to help set up additional freedom schools, community centers and advance voter registration among Negroes in the deep South.

We believe that the more Negro people know about their heritage, their hardships, their leaders, their progress and their contributions to society, the more proudful and the more militant they will become. Moreover, education, agitation and organization are all essential for the achievement of full equality for the Negro people of America.

167

CONGRESS OF
CORE
RACIAL EQUALITY

31

38 PARK ROW
NEW YORK 38, NEW YORK
Cortlandt 7-6270

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Ralph Abernathy
James Baldwin
Roger N. Baldwin
Katrina M. Barnes
Algernon D. Black
James B. Carey
Allan Knight Chalmers
Grenville Clark
John Cogley
Earl B. Dickerson
Eugene E. Frazier
Harold Gibbons
Roland B. Gittelsohn
Sidney Hollander
George M. Houser
E. Stanley Jones
Bishop F. D. Jordan
Martin Luther King
Douglas Levin
David Livingston
Will Maslow
A. J. Muste
Dorothy Norman
A. Philip Randolph
Ira DeA. Reid
Walter P. Reuther
Hobson R. Reynolds
Jackie Robinson
Arnold M. Rose
Fred M. Shuttlesworth
Lillian Smith
C. K. Steele
Gardner Taylor
Howard Thurman
Bishop W. J. Walls
Goodwin Watson
Joseph Willen
Jerry Wurf
Charles S. Zimmerman
OFFICERS
Floyd B. McKissick
chairman
Rudolph Lombard
1st vice chairman
Wilfred Ussery
2nd vice chairman
Ralph Rosenfeld
secretary
Alan Gartner
treasurer
James Peck
CORElator editor
STAFF
Norman Hill
program director
James McCain
director of organization
Marvin Rich
community relations director

August 11, 1965

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 E. 127 Street
New York, New York

Dear Langston:

Thanks very much for your complimentary tickets to the Prodigal Son, now appearing at the Greenwich News Theatre. Mary and I had planned to see the play anyway, and we are delighted, of course, to receive your complimentary tickets.

We are glad to know that you are back in the states. Persuant to this, I wish to remind you that we took a raincheck when you went to Europe for your coming to dinner when you got back. Well, you got back, and how about it? You name the date and it's on.

One other thing, Langston, work on the CORE Guide is coming along quite well. However, we believe that there is no one else as capable and appropriate to do the essay on Portray of The American Negro people as is Langston Hughes. So, again I appeal to you to take a little time from your busy schedule to dash off this piece for CORE. As a matter of fact, you probably have such a paper or lecture that would be appropriate already in your files. I do hope that this is not an unbearable imposition upon you.

I hope that you had a pleasant trip in Europe, and Mary and I look forward to having you over for dinner real soon.

BAB:dh

72

August 12, 1965

Dear Ben:

So nice to have your letter.
Unfortunately, being all tied up with
a TV script for Belafonte at the moment
and having to fly to the Coast whenever
he is ready for conferences there, I
can't accept your kind invitation to
dinner until things clear up. As to the
CORE piece, I thought I told you I can
NOT do it. I'm a full year behind on
other writing commitments as it is, with-
out having to take anything else.
What you are asking for is a major article
that would take considerable time to do
well. And, at the moment, time is what I
don't have, so I can't put anything else
on my writing schedule now. But thanks for
thinking of me. And best to the Mrs.....

Sincerely,