Let America Be America Again
Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.(America never was America to me.)
Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed—
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.(It never was America to me.)
O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
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.”)Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?
And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?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.I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
Tangled in that ancient endless chain
Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!
Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need!
Of work the men! Of take the pay!
Of owning everything for one’s own greed!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!
I am the man who never got ahead,
The poorest worker bartered through the years.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
In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned
That’s made America the land it has become.
O, I’m the man who sailed those early seas
In search of what I meant to be my home—
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
To build a “homeland of the free.”The free?
Who said the free? Not me?
Surely not me? The millions on relief today?
The millions shot down when we strike?
The millions who have nothing for our pay?
For all the dreams we’ve dreamed
And all the songs we’ve sung
And all the hopes we’ve held
And all the flags we’ve hung,
The millions who have nothing for our pay—
Except the dream that’s almost dead today.O, let America be America again—
The land that never has been yet—
And yet must be the land where every man is free.
The land that’s mine, the poor man’s, Indian’s, Negro’s, ME—
Who made America,
Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain,
Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain,
Must bring back our mighty dream again.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!O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath—
America will be!Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,
The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,
We, the people, must redeem
The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.
The mountains and the endless plain—
All, all the stretch of these great green states—
And make America again!
Understanding “Let America Be America Again”
Langston Hughes’s “Let America Be America Again” is a powerful and moving poem that explores the unfulfilled promise of the American Dream for many. It is a lament, a protest, and a hopeful call for a nation that truly lives up to its ideals. The poem does not present a single voice but rather a chorus of voices—the marginalized, the oppressed, and the forgotten—each expressing their disappointment and yearning for a more just and equitable America.
At its core, the poem asks a simple yet profound question: what does it truly mean to be American? Hughes argues that America has never fully been the land of opportunity and freedom it proclaims to be, especially for those who have been historically excluded and exploited. However, he does not abandon hope; instead, he insists that America can be better, that it must become the nation it was meant to be—a land where every person has the chance to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Decoding the Poem’s Central Ideas
The poem revolves around several key themes. First, it highlights the disparity between the American ideal and the lived reality for many. The repeated refrain, “Let America be America again,” expresses a longing for the nation to live up to its founding principles. The parenthetical statements, such as “(America never was America to me),” bluntly convey the experience of those who have been denied the full benefits of American citizenship.
Second, the poem emphasizes the collective experience of marginalization. Hughes deliberately uses the phrase “I am” to identify with a diverse group of people—the poor white, the Negro, the red man, the immigrant, the worker—demonstrating that their struggles are interconnected. This technique underscores the idea that injustice affects everyone, and that true progress requires collective action.
Finally, the poem offers a message of hope and possibility. Despite acknowledging the nation’s failures, Hughes refuses to succumb to despair. He believes that America has the potential to become a truly just and equitable society, but only if the people are willing to fight for it. The final lines, “America will be!” express a defiant optimism that resonates throughout the poem.
A Deep Dive into Poetic Techniques
Anaphora and Repetition
Hughes masterfully employs anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, to create a powerful rhythmic effect and emphasize key ideas. The repeated phrase “Let America be America again” serves as a refrain, driving home the poem’s central plea. Similarly, the repeated use of “I am” establishes a strong sense of collective identity and solidarity.
For example, consider these lines:
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…
The repetition of “I am” not only links these diverse groups together but also asserts their inherent dignity and worth.
Imagery and Symbolism
The poem is rich in imagery, creating vivid and evocative pictures in the reader’s mind. Images of struggle, oppression, and resilience abound, painting a stark and unflinching portrait of the American experience. For instance, the image of being “tangled in that ancient endless chain” powerfully conveys the sense of being trapped by systemic forces.
Symbolism also plays a crucial role. America itself becomes a symbol of both promise and disappointment, representing the unfulfilled dream of equality and opportunity. The “land” is not just a geographical location but also a metaphor for the American ideal.
Figurative Language
Hughes skillfully employs various types of figurative language to enhance the poem’s emotional impact. Metaphors such as comparing the plight of the marginalized to being “bondsman to the soil” create a strong emotional resonance. Similes, while less frequent, contribute to the poem’s imagery. The use of personification, such as attributing human qualities to “Liberty,” adds depth and complexity to the poem’s themes.
Free Verse and its Impact
“Let America Be America Again” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter. This deliberate choice allows Hughes to create a more natural and conversational tone, mirroring the voices of the people he represents. The lack of formal constraints also enhances the poem’s emotional impact, allowing the words to flow freely and express the full range of human experience.
Tracing the Poem’s Structure and Progression
The poem unfolds in a logical and compelling manner. It begins with a broad appeal for a return to the nation’s original ideals, immediately establishing the central theme. The middle section features the powerful “I am” statements, which introduce the voices of the marginalized and highlight the diversity of their experiences.
The poem then transitions into a more critical and accusatory tone, denouncing the forces that have perpetuated injustice and inequality. However, it does not end on a note of despair. The final section reaffirms the possibility of a better future, urging the people to “redeem” the land and “make America again.” The conclusion is a defiant and optimistic call to action, leaving the reader with a sense of hope and determination.
Why This Poem Still Matters
“Let America Be America Again” remains profoundly relevant today. Its themes of social justice, equality, and the pursuit of the American Dream continue to resonate with audiences around the world. The poem serves as a powerful reminder that the struggle for a more just and equitable society is ongoing, and that we must all work together to ensure that the promise of America is finally fulfilled for everyone.
By exploring the poem’s rich language, complex themes, and powerful message, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the American experience and their own role in shaping the nation’s future. It is a poem that challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths of our past, embrace the diversity of our present, and strive for a more just and equitable future for all.