Why I love, “Let America Be America Again”, by Langston Hughes.

Written by Langston Hughes, “Let America be America Again”, is a powerful and thought provoking poem that forces its readers to question the “American Dream”. In 1936, when this poem was published, being an African American unfortunately did not allow you to experience the freedoms that are promised to American citizens. Langston Hughes took this truth and composed a passionate and effective poem, which is why I am drawn to it.

                The poem begins by requesting that we let America be America again, like the title suggests, and Hughes does not waste time revealing that he never did feel America to be any sort of dream come true. From the very beginning of the poem, rhetorical questions are asked that force his readers to see the hypocrisy America basks in if you are any sort of minority. Hughes also uses what is called repeated anaphora to prove his point effectively:

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. (19-24)

By using this repeated anaphora, Hughes is able to address all of the groups of people who are not able to experience America the way it is intended to be experienced. Hughes is giving all of these minorities a voice through his poetry, and this proves to be a powerful tool in order to strike nerves. Images that are used to represent patriotism in America are abundant and Hughes forces us to question these symbols, and also to change our ways.

Another reason why I love this poem is because it is not focused solely on bitterness; the prose also evokes a distinct air of hope: “I say it plain/America never was America to me/And yet I swear this oath/America will be (76-79)! This stanza is an exceptional example of Hughes’s willingness to show a measure of forgiveness to those who had previously stripped him of dignity. I find his ability to let go of the past transgressions to be an incredibly selfless action, given the circumstances of slavery. Lastly, Hughes goes on to present a call to his fellow Americans, through the words “We, the people, must redeem the lands, the mines, the plants, the rivers” (82-83). In doing so, Hughes expertly shows brotherhood, in the usage of the word ‘we,’ while simultaneously imploring all Americans to look beyond the bigotry and hate of the past. Hughes is able to create a work that opens with a passionate anger that gradually simmers down to a hope for change, making this a poem I love. 

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15609