The poem, “Let America be America Again” was written by Langston Hughes, which was first published in 1935, in the July 1936 issue of Esquire Magazine. The poem explores the dreams of African-American men to be settled permanently in America, which is called “American Dream.” Hughes writes the poem against the second migration movement of America and darkest great Depression of 1929. The problem “migration movement” was made between the White and Black community of America.
Hughes notes, “Seeking a home where he himself is free”, the quote explores the freedom and “my country” of Hughes was normal politically and economically in the previous time. After the time of the Great Depression in the United States, the poor, poverty, and homeless come to the life of American people.
By observing this situation, Hughes explores, “America never was America to me,” this phrase is deeply touching to his heart as the today’s America and yesterday’s America is completely different. As the powerful country and with all the best qualities, America is now facing her weak sides today. All the Americans cannot bear the issues, that’s happening in the same time.
As they are surviving through their most pathetic situation, they also again with no food and with no sleep. Regarding the line, he uses, “That any man be crushed by one above.” “O, let my land be a land where Liberty--/ Equality is in the air we breathe,” in this quote, he reveals about the deeply wish for his own land, America. Additionally, he wants this type of America where the freedom will be stay properly as he uses the line, “Equality is in the air we breathe.”
All the dark sides like “poverty, hunger, war and movement”, he shows that these dark things are showing through the Great Depression. In laments, he expresses about his identity, “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.” In those lines, he becomes unbearable and cannot tolerate this situation, it’s attacking him. About his talking, he wants something peace.
From the mid-section of his own mind and in the poem, somewhere he is getting something energy, he says, “I am the young man, full of strength and hope,--/Tangled in that ancient endless chain--/Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!” Those lines actually explores the thought of “American dream.” From his talking, it is clear that he is fighting to make America the dreamers’ dream.
He expresses that he is getting food to eat today but he will not stop to see his dream to be an American. He is an epic hero as his expressions. Some of the other men, he is like at those men’s situation, he shows, “Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream--/In the Old World while still a serf of kings.”
In all of his arms, there has full strength and he says that he will be so strong and brave. He says that the nature of America is with them. He means that “every brick and stone” are with them then they may win America again. As all of the things are with them then he wants ‘To build a ‘homeland of the free." He expresses millions of people are waiting for the “Freedom America.” In the dreaming time, they sings, hope, hung and dream.
Again he expresses his slogan “O, Let America be America Again.” Hughes says that the land is for poor men’s, Negro’s and Indian’s, this land was free and it will be free. From this context, he showing his hopes to be American again.
In his final thought, he excitedly expresses, “America never was America to me,--/And yet I swear this oath—--/America will be!” Despite the hardest things like rape and death, he will win his America and make all the situation normal.
In conclusion, Hughes’s poem “Let America be America Again” explores the thought and hopes of American Dream of Hughes and the common people of America. Hughes explores his mental power and hope through the poem. Through the poem, the common people are found by the thought of Hughes.