Blessed Assurance & the Dwindling Stature of the Black Patriarchy
“Unfortunately (and to John’s distrust of God) it seemed his son was turning out to be a queer.” - Blessed Assurance (Hughes)
In Blessed Assurance, a short story by Langston Hughes, a father hates his gay son. He critiques his name, his clean record, his interests, and the way he holds cigarettes, as John, the father, deems everything Delmar, his son, does to be effeminate, even with Delmar’s achievements as Valedictorian and choir soloist.
This short story, written by Langston Hughes doesn’t focus on the son, but on his father. The story begins with the perspective of John; however, the perspective quietly shifts to Delmar, reflecting the current shifts within our society. With an in-depth analysis of Langston Hughes's Blessed Assurance, the ambiguity and subjective nature of masculinity can be realized.
John resents the attitudes shown by Delmar, as they combat John, who represents the conservative definition of “masculinity.” As the patriarch of the family, it is John’s conventional job to maintain order, but his ability slowly dwindles throughout the story.
The negative perspective on the Black Patriarchy I refer to is the elevated level of toxic masculinity experienced by Black men because of their hyper-masculinization by white supremacists. This, however, doesn’t refer to the concept as a whole, but the aspects of it that uphold outdated, offensive stereotypes.
As the family’s patriarch, it’s John’s traditional job to maintain order. However, slowly, John’s opinions grow unimportant, starting with the decision to name his son Delmar, which John didn’t approve of. Delmar forms his identity against conservative values and does what he wants, regardless of traditional roles. He seeks emancipation from the Black patriarchy by studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, a place Black people sought refuge from racism.
At the beginning of the piece, John points out the effeminate actions of his son, and these tensions climax in the tenor solo Delmar sings in the end. The solo dedicated for Delmar to sing, because of the high voice required, causes “saliva to rise in [John’s] throat,” while the congregation was riveted by every note. The congregation, which represents the changing modern society, isn’t overly conscious of gender roles, but of the talent Delmar holds. As Delmar’s voice raises in the end as he belts, John’s cries to quiet his sons also do. However, the final words are belted by Delmar, symbolizing the true narrative shift.
I see more than a story of sexuality, but a promise of hope under intense adversity. I realized upon reading this short story that Black queerness allows for the promise of liberation to be fulfilled; Black and queer lifestyles aren’t a contradiction.
Delmar is a manifestation of the contemporary ideas created within the Black community, and a symbol of hope at the end of the meaningless patriarchy to Black men forced to live to a standard their queerness stops them from achieving. Delmar is a sign the power of the Black patriarchy is dying.
The unapologetic oneness Delmar has with himself is enough to stand against the centuries of conformity. His existence deconstructs a complex, out-of-date society. His life captivates and moves people beyond belief. With Delmar’s performance of Blessed Assurance in mind, I am assured the future holds a place for unification, regardless of gender or sexuality, in the Black community.