"Let America Be America Again" is a poem written by Langston Hughes in the 1930s, during a time of great economic hardship and social inequality in the United States. In the poem, Hughes reflects on the ideals of freedom and opportunity that have long been associated with America, and he laments the fact that these ideals have not been fully realized for all people in the country.
Hughes begins the poem by describing America as a land of promise and hope, where "anybody can be anything" and where "dreams come true." He speaks of the "cities, mountains, rivers," and the "great rivers rolling," all of which symbolize the vast potential and opportunities that America has to offer.
However, Hughes quickly shifts to a more somber tone, acknowledging that this idealized version of America is not the reality for everyone. He speaks of the "poor white, foe of his own kind," and the "Negro bearing slavery's scars," both of whom have been denied the same opportunities and freedoms as others. Hughes also mentions the "red man driven from the land," a reference to the Native Americans who were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in the 19th century.
As the poem continues, Hughes becomes increasingly critical of the American dream and the ways in which it has been co-opted and distorted. He speaks of the "rich man's heaven" that has been created, a place where "the poor man's pain" is ignored and where "justice is a game." Hughes laments that America has become a place where "the shadow of the Third Liberty Loan" hangs over the land, a reference to the government's attempts to fund the First World War through public loans.
Ultimately, Hughes calls on America to return to its roots and to live up to the ideals of freedom and equality that it was founded upon. He writes: "Let America be America again - / The land that never has been yet - / And yet must be - the land where every man is free." Hughes's call to action is a reminder that America's promise of opportunity and equality has not yet been fully realized, and that there is still work to be done to ensure that it becomes a reality for all people.
In conclusion, "Let America Be America Again" is a powerful and poignant poem that speaks to the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in the United States. Hughes's words remind us of the ideals that have long been associated with America, and they call on us to work towards creating a society that truly lives up to those ideals. So, we should try to make America a land where every man is free and equal.
