Let Usa Be America Again By Langston Hughes Poems

He was a poet, a social activist, a novelist, a columnist, and some might even say he was the backbone for African American literature during the first half of the 20th century. Langston Hughes was born in 1902 and grew up to be one of the primary contributors to the Harlem Renaissance during the 1920s. His views on life changed dramatically throughout his lifetime and this can be seen in all of his famous poetry. “I, Too”, “Let America Be America Again”, and “Dream Deferred” are just three of Hughes’ poems that make it possible to analyze the evolution of Hughes’ perspective on equality and segregation during his writing period. Hughes’ perspective ultimately has three phases; it changes from a hopeful and positive perspective to a more pessimistic …show more content…
He compares the dreams of disenfranchised people with the stark reality of what is actually happening in America. A country that is supposed to be a safe haven for immigrants seeking protection from persecution and discrimination, has become a country that segregates and discriminates everyone who is not racially or economically superior. Hughes goes on to explain how Native Americans, slaves, poor people, and immigrants do not have the opportunity to experience the “American Dream” that is supposed to be attainable by any hardworking person. A call for action is created by Hughes towards all of the people who are not in these dominant groups, but it is clear that Hughes’ perspective on African American equality and the greatness of America has changed. His point of view on these matters is not as hopeful and optimistic as it was a decade earlier in his “I, Too” poem. This is because in 1926, Hughes has an optimistic point of view for the future, but after ten years of continued segregation and discrimination against blacks and other minorities, he most likely has lost some hope that he once had about something being done. This is a very gloomy and somber time in Hughes’ life because the reality is that nothing is being done or changed and it seems as if minorities will have to continue to endure the injustice they have experienced since …show more content…
Hughes publishes “A Dream Deferred” in 1951 through which he asks what happens to a dream if it is not achieved. This is most likely a direct relation back to the American Dream that minorities are having a difficult time believing in. Hughes asks if the dream “dries up, like a raisin in the sun”, or if it “stinks like rotten meat” giving the impression that this poem has a negative overall tone. However, the very last line in the poem asks “or does it explode?” and what Hughes is trying to convey through this line is that it is completely worth it to go after a dream because it will eventually turn out to be great in one way or another. Though the last line sounds violent, it is intended to make the reader feel as if fireworks explode in a celebratory manner to praise the idea of going after a dream and something great coming out of that journey. These minorities should chase their dreams even if they are segregated and discriminated, because eventually the journey to achieving their dreams will produce marvelous results. Thus, this poem helps to hint at the fact that Langston Hughes has changed his perspective once again towards a more positive and confident one; Hughes has returned back to his original positive perspective twenty-five years after his “I, Too” poem