Richard Wright's Appraisal for Negro Writers Introduction Richard Wright's plea in the Blueprint for Negro Writing might be summed up very well in one of Thomas Kempis's famous words: “ Do not be angry if you cannot make others as you wish them to be, for you cannot make yourself as you wish to be. In this popular essay, Richard Wright denounced Negro writers as he perceived them as simply begging for the sympathy of the bourgeoisie instead of striving to present a life more worth living for Black Americans (Mitchell 98). This article argues that Richard Wright was justified in his assessment that literature was so focused on pleasing white readers, thus neglecting the needs of the “Negro masses.” In the following paragraphs, two literary works are examined, namely “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes and “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay. In these literary works, it is evident that in fact the black writers were so absorbed in the idea of ​​racial discrimination instead of suggesting positive actions that would help improve the condition of black Americans. writers have not reflected any consciousness and mobility oriented towards political and economic action” – which further widens the gap between the militant Negro workers and the literate Negroes. He pointed out that Negro writers are useless in following the standards of the past, merely examining the criticisms against themselves. He proposed that Marxism is the key to this problem in society because the condition of black Americans is something that can be changed. It has also forced Negro writers to use their writing to influence the Negro masses since... middle of paper ......erpages.org/poems/mckay00.html>.Miller, Nelson. "Poets' Corner - Claude McKay - Harlem Shadows." Welcome to the Other Pages. Network. November 19, 2011. .Mitchell, Angelyn. Inside the Circle: An Anthology of African American Literary Criticism from the Harlem Renaissance to the Present. USA: Duke University Press, 1994.Print.Rasche, Rebecca. Transcendence in Langston Hughes' "The Negro Speaks of Rivers": A Brief Analysis. Germany: GRIN Verlag, 2008. Print.Rhodes, Henry. “78.02.08: The Social Contributions of the Harlem Renaissance.” Yale University. Network. November 18, 2011. Shmoop editorial team. “Nigga Talk About Rivers” Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., November 11, 2008. Web. November 28, 2011. In-text citation (Shmoop Editorial Team)