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Let America be America Again

Introduction

Langston Hughes wrote the poem “Let America be America again” in 1935 at the time of the great depression. The poem criticizes the American society for its failure to adhere to the policy of its founding fathers and the non-fulfillment of dreams with which millions of immigrants' came to America. Though it carries a sense of desolation, yet the poem holds hope that one day these dreams will eventually be realized.

Esquire Magazine published the poem in the summer of 1936. U.S Senator, John Kerry later used it as a slogan during his presidential campaign of 2004. It has also been cited variously by different politician and African-Americans and has become one of the strongest motivations for people fighting for an equal status and recognition in the American society.

Discussion

The poem focuses on the dreams by the lower class Americans that for centuries since the American independence could not materialize. It raises voice for the dreams that every immigrant to America had hoped of achieving. The poem represents the African American and other minority groups waiting to realize their dream of freedom and equality.

Though written long ago during the time America was hit by the Great Depression, its theme and paramount importance exists to the present day. The frustrations and distress that Americans faced then are still existent in today's society. Racism, oppression of the poor and greed are all still part of the American society, and the poet conveys strong feelings of resentment against them (www.helium.com).

The poem addresses issues that posed significant problems not only in the 20th century, but it still does so in the 21st century. Readers may feel as if the poem had been written in the 21st century on account of its implications that exist to this day (Bloom, pp 67). Although much was done to curb racism towards other races, the American society is still plagued by this menace and black people continue to feel its aftermath.

“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” (Hughes, 189).

It was the dream of immigrants to find a place where they will have equal opportunities and freedom. They had come to America with the hope to find a land of their dreams, but this could not happen. The poet is frustrated that how a country that was founded on the principles of freedom, equality and humanity could so quickly deviate from its founding principles to foster on a path of racism, inequality and injustice. This was not the America that its founders had hoped to built and very much reflected the same old Europe from which the people had fled to find a country with a new set of values (www.helium.com).

“For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's shore,

And Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea,

And torn from Black Africa's strand I came” (Hughes, 189).

The poor could not free themselves from the clutches of rich who continued to ...