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Matt Foster March 2, 2010 English 1102 Fowler “Let America Be America Again” by Langston Hughes In Langston Hughes’ “Let America Be America Again” he debates the difference between America in the past, America now, and the dream of the future America. He expresses his view of society, which is the struggle against injustice and some inspiration for the black community in America and the society he is striving for. He is striving for a society of equality. Hughes is passionate in defining America. This poem shows a lot of determination that one day America will get past the struggle and conflict and be one nation together through perseverance. This poem goes back and forth describing America and the people of America. It describes the lifestyle of the blacks in America and the hope they still have in their country. Hughes illustrates a contrasting poem, speaking of the American dream that never existed for a lower class American or minority. He also talks about the equality and freedom that everyone hoped for but never achieved. Hughes states repetitively, “I am…..” whether a black man, a white man, poor, or rich. He does this to contrast that equality in America was not during his time, but he cannot wait for the day that true equality will finally exist. Hughes says, “We, the people, must redeem/ our land, the mines, the plants, the rivers,/ the mountains and the endless plain/ All, all the stretch of these great green states/ And make America again!” (Hughes 77-81). He really hopes for the day America finally breaks through and fulfills the dream. America should not be a land with racism and sexism; it should be one united nation forming the greatest country in the world. Unity is extremely important in fulfilling Hughes’ dream, because without unity America could never be strong and successful. Hughes wrote this poem in 1936, long after black slaves had been freed. Why were blacks still deprived of equality and justice in the United States' Hughes’ intention in writing this poem is to make the readers think about his life in America and ask questions, like why his own America was never a land of liberty, equality, or even a chance for him or his community. He makes the audience question the racial inequality in America, along with rich versus poor. Hughes will also demonstrate labor, struggle, and perseverance in this poem. Hughes states, “O, let America be America again/ The land that never has been yet/ And yet must be/ The land where every man is free” (Hughes 54-57). These few lines emphasize that true freedom for every man or woman has yet to be given, but needs to be soon if America intends to be a prosperous nation. Hughes is not trying to put down America; he is simply saying he was never given a chance. He still agrees with what America stands for by saying, “Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed/ Let it be that great strong land of love/ Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme/ That any man be crushed by one above” (Hughes 6-9). He does not want America to change the way it is ruled, but to have faith it will be ruled fairly one day. He agrees with the system that is implied in America; he just wants equality for every human. Hughes also says, “The free'/ A dream/ Stil beckoning to me!” (Hughes 51-53). This portrays his dream of freedom and that he is waiting on it. Hughes contrasts the rich versus the poor and the different races by saying, “The land that’s mine/ The poor man’s, Indian’s, Negroes’,Me” (Hughes 58-59). Hughes does not just talk about the problems in America for the blacks; he includes every other race, knowing it is not just the blacks that live with this unequal lifestyle. All the different minorities share this dream and are waiting for it to finally be fulfilled. Instead of all these classifications of people in America, why can’t everyone just be called Americans' Rich versus poor, white versus black, in Hughes’ dream as long as everyone lived in America we should be Americans. We should stand together and proud and America will be America again. Hughes addresses that all blacks and other lower class Americans have these dreams. He knows this American dream in not fake; it does exist and knows this dream can be obtained. Hughes lived in America and grew up in the harsh, unequal times where race was still an issue in society. He was mistreated because the color of his skin. Being a black male, he was never given a chance for anything. He just wanted to be heard instead of looked over because of his race. He says it best writing, “O, let my land be a land where Liberty/ Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath/ But opportunity is real, and life is free/ Equality is in the air we breathe” (Hughes 11-14). People should not be overlooked because of the color of their skin, their gender, or their wealth. Not only does America have laws outlawing these problems, but to do this is morally wrong. It is impossible to judge a person by just looking at them. Chances should always be given no matter what; if not then America will never obtain true equality.