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Stefany Baquerizo

Professor Cook

ENG 102-0808

20 December 2020

In Langston Hughes poem “Let America Be American Again” speaks loudly in today’s

society. This poem was writing in 1935 and we’re in 2020. Times have changed but the meaning

and deeper feel to still exist to this day. The first line of the poem says, “Let America Be

America Again”. This line sounds awfully familiar to “Make America great again”. I myself

have questioned the meaning of the phrase “Make America Great Again”. The Questions I

usually have are “When was America ever great?”, and “When was America beneficial for all

American’s no matter race, religion, sexuality, or ethnic background?”. This first line set’s us,

the read up for what he means and somewhat of a sarcastic line to make a statement.

He continues to say “Let it be the pioneer on the plain, seeking a home where he himself

is free. (America never was America to me.)”. These few lines represent the European men and

woman who came to America after leaving England. They were already to be considered to be

American’s and free. While he is a black man born and raised in America doesn’t feel as a free

person and isn’t considered a nuisance. As well as any person of color who was born in America.

Keeping in mind this was in 1935 when this was written, in today’s society it’s still pointed that

way in most of the states in the USA.

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As you continue to read through the poem there becomes a pattern. He starts to take some

parts from the star-spangled Banner. Within the song it does speak of having freedom and

Liberty. Song we as American’s sing and are proud of give a false narrative. He say “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.”). Its letting you know that it maybe said and

sung but talented singers but there isn’t equality for people in this country. We say were free but

are we really free from what’s really going on?

The next phrase going into talking about who this poem is. It states multiple different

types of the working class in America. Also implies this is the low class. “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—”. These few lines represent the men,

woman, and children who lived a low life in America and had their own dreams of being free to

live life and wanted more for themselves but weren’t able to because of their status.

“I am the young man, full of strength and hope, Tangled in that ancient endless chain

Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!”. He has so much to offer and can give to the world.

Deep in his blood he knows what he can do to people and how can he change their minds and the

flow of his words. This hope keeps him going and pushing through that challenges he faces each

and every day. When the opportunity is there, he will take it and run with it until he can’t

anymore.
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“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!”. This is one of the more indirectly statements made in

the piece. He’s sayings he stills feels like a slavey to “The Man”. He is providing for them and

working hard. While having everything else taken and stripped from him. He feels less and only

caters to the people that believe they are above him. Wishing he can follow his dream he wants,

without having to be pushed down.

“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”.

America has this dream believe they were a part of the free land and don’t have to serve under a

king. They could do what they wanted and when they wanted no matter the cost. The only thing

is that it wasn’t the same for the people of color. They weren’t free and had to work under people

and but hates and killed because of the color of their skin. They wanted to follow the same dream

as everyone else but were always pushed back and still till this day the same thing is happening

in modern times.

“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!”

The last few lines are very important to this poem. Their super important because he is finally

saying he has had enough of what people are doing to him and his people. They call them

horrible names that no one should ever be called. He wants to take away all the negative

thoughts, words, people, and groups and get rid of them. Only leaving what is pure and kind to

everyone. Each and every person to have freedom and liberty to be who they want to be.
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Langston Hughes “Let America Be America Again” poem is a wonderful and outstanding

poem that speaks into what we are fighting for today. As an American, I believe everyone should

be who they want to be and follow their dreams of success. No one should be allowed to stop

you from being you just because the color of your skin. Langston words should be heard to all

people and it will have moved them in more ways than we know. Following his words to be the

hope of a new life of freedom and leaving all the hate and anger in the past.
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Works Cited

Hughes, Langston. The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes

Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1994