“Doorknobs” Langston Hughes is considered by many readers to be the most significant black poet of the twentieth century. Except for a few examples, all his poems are about social injustice in America. The somber tone of his writing often reflected his mood. Race relations were present in almost his whole career, following him from his first poem to his last. The poem “Doorknobs” was written in 1961 after his subpoena to appear before Senator McCarthy for subversive activities. Although many other poems by Hughes deal with prejudice, race, or politics, “Doorknobs” deals with life itself. Hughes’ anger over the political attacks are seen on many of his poems. Hughes’ “Doorkn