* Early Exposure to Literature: Hughes grew up surrounded by books and literature. His mother, a schoolteacher, encouraged his love for reading, and he was particularly drawn to the works of Paul Laurence Dunbar, an African American poet who wrote in dialect.
* Experiencing Black Culture: Hughes lived in a predominantly black community in Cleveland, Ohio, and later in Harlem, New York. He observed the vibrant culture, struggles, and joys of his community firsthand, which provided him with rich material for his poems.
* Influence of the Harlem Renaissance: During the 1920s, Hughes emerged as a prominent voice of the Harlem Renaissance, a period of intense cultural and artistic activity in Harlem. This movement encouraged African American artists to express their unique experiences and perspectives.
* Finding His Voice: Hughes started writing poems as a teenager and found a natural ability to express himself through words. He used poetry to capture the essence of black life in America, focusing on themes of identity, race, and social justice.
* The Power of Language: Hughes believed in the power of language to connect people and to create change. He used his poetry to challenge racial prejudice and to celebrate the strength and resilience of the African American community.
In short, Langston Hughes started writing poetry because of a combination of factors: his love for literature, his experiences with black culture, the influence of the Harlem Renaissance, his natural talent, and his desire to use language for social change. His decision was not a sudden one but a gradual evolution shaped by his life and the world around him.