Let America Be America Again By Langston Hughes

Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes

Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain seeking a home where he himself is free. (America never was America to me.) 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. (It never was America to me.) 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. (There’s never been equality for me, nor freedom in this “homeland of the free.”)

Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark? And who are you that draws your veil across the stars? I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart; I am the Negro bearing slavery’s scars. I am the red man driven from the land; I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek—and finding only the same old stupid plan of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak. I am the young man, full of strength and hope, tangled in that ancient endless chain of profit, power, gain, of grab the land! Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need! Of work the men! Of take the pay! Of owning everything for one’s own greed!

I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil. I am the worker sold to the machine. I am the Negro, servant to you all. I am the people, humble, hungry, mean— hungry yet today despite the dream. Beaten yet today—O, Pioneers! I am the man who never got ahead, the poorest worker bartered through the years. Yet I’m the one who dreamt our basic dream in the Old World while still a serf of kings, who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true, that even yet its mighty daring sings in every brick and stone, in every furrow turned that’s made America the land it has become.

O, I’m the man who sailed those early seas in search of what I meant to be my home—for I’m the one who left dark Ireland’s shore, and Poland’s plains, and England’s grassy lea, and torn from Black Africa’s strand I came to build a “homeland of the free.” The free? Who said the free? Not me? Surely not me? The millions on relief today? The millions shot down when we strike? The millions who have nothing for our pay? For all the dreams we’ve dreamed and all the songs we’ve sung and all the hopes we’ve held and all the flags we’ve hung, the millions who have nothing for our pay— except the dream that’s almost dead today.

O, let America be America again— the land that never has been yet—and yet must be—the land where every man is free. The land that’s mine—the poor man’s, Indian’s, Negro’s, ME—who made America, whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain, whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain, must bring back our mighty dream again. Sure, call me any ugly name you choose—the steel of freedom does not stain. From those who live like leeches on the people’s lives, we must take back our land again, America! O, yes, I say it plain, America never was America to me, and yet I swear this oath—

America will be! Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death, the rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies, we, the people, must redeem the 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!

Paper For Above instruction

Langston Hughes' poem "Let America Be America Again" is a powerful invocation for the realization of the American Dream for all people, particularly those historically marginalized and oppressed. Hughes addresses the dissonance between the ideals of freedom, equality, and justice that America claims and the realities faced by many of its inhabitants—Black Americans, Native Americans, immigrants, the poor, and workers. Through poetic imagery, rhetorical questions, and a resolute tone, Hughes calls for a reimagining of America as a land of true opportunity and inclusivity, emphasizing that the nation's ideals have yet to be fulfilled.

From the outset, Hughes appeals to the American Dream—the vision of a land where individuals seek freedom, opportunity, and love. However, he immediately complicates this idyllic view by asserting, “America never was America to me,” highlighting the disparity between the national promise and the lived realities of marginalized communities. Hughes invites readers to reflect on the contradictions that define American history—where the ideals of liberty and equality have often been betrayed by persistent systemic oppression.

Throughout the poem, Hughes enumerates the diverse groups who have been excluded or oppressed in America’s history—the poor whites, enslaved Africans, Native Americans driven from their land, and immigrants seeking better lives—expanding the scope of his critique. Hughes’s inclusiveness underscores that the American dream was envisioned by many but denied to most. This framing is crucial, as it positions the poem not just as a lament but as a call to action. Hughes advocates for reclaiming the true spirit of America—a land of opportunity for everyone—not just the privileged few.

The poem's tone is both lamenting and defiant. Hughes questions the authenticity of America's claim to be “the land of the free” and exposes the contradictions—such as systemic racism, economic inequality, and imperialism—that undermine American ideals. By asking “who are you that mumbles in the dark?” and “who are you that draws your veil across the stars?”, Hughes challenges the cowardice and complacency of those who perpetuate injustice. He confronts the false patriotic narratives that mask inequality, urging the oppressed to recognize their collective power.

Significantly, Hughes emphasizes the resilience and hope of the marginalized. The references to "dreams," "hope," and "mighty daring" serve to inspire collective action. Hughes’s depiction of himself as a "sailor" who left his homeland and worked tirelessly embodies the immigrant striving for a better life—symbolizing the broader struggle for equality and justice. The powerful imagery of "brick and stone," "furrow turned," and "mighty dream" evoke the tangible efforts—buildings, farms, fields—that embody the American landscape—and symbolize the ongoing struggle to forge a truly inclusive nation.

Hughes’s refrain “America will be” is a resolute assertion of hope and the possibility of renewal. Despite disillusionment, the poet remains committed to the idea that America’s ideals are worth fighting for—"out of the rack and ruin." His call to “redeem” the land, mines, rivers, and mountains underscores the urgency of societal transformation. Hughes envisions a future where America lives up to its foundational promises, where opportunity and freedom are genuinely accessible, and where justice prevails for all its citizens, regardless of race, class, or origin.

In essence, Hughes’s poem is both a critique of America's failure to uphold its ideals and a blueprint for justice and equitable growth. It emphasizes that the true strength of America lies in its diverse people’s collective effort to reclaim and realize its founding principles. His inclusive language—“the poor man’s, Indian’s, Negro’s, ME”—serves as a rallying cry, asserting that the future of America depends on the participation and liberation of all people.

In conclusion, "Let America Be America Again" by Langston Hughes is a compelling call for social justice, equity, and national introspection. Hughes masterfully intertwines hope with critique, urging Americans to acknowledge the past’s injustices and work tirelessly toward a future where the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity are genuinely realized for everyone. His enduring message continues to resonate, inspiring ongoing struggles for justice and reminding us that the realization of America’s greatest ideals is a collective responsibility and an ongoing journey.

References

• Hughes, L. (1938). Let America Be America Again. Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/147844/let-america-be-america-again
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