Many of his writings were inspired by the rhythm and language of the black church and the music of that time, particularly jazz and blues. He thought this music was the true expression of the black spirit, his poem “Harlem” was one of his works inspired by it. It appeared in Montage of a Dream Deferred, a collection of poems published in 1951. Harlem was about how African Americans were not receiving the full benefits of the "American Dream." The American Dream was the idea that every American should be able to achieve freedom, equality, and opportunity as long as he or she worked hard for it. However, due to extreme racial segregation, African Americans faced great obstacles that prevented them from truly realizing their American identity.