The poem Democracy by Langston Hughes is about the lack of equality and freedom African Americans have. Langston wrote "Democracy" in 1949, during the Jim Crow Era. During that era African Americans had even less freedom and even more violence and restrictions directed towards them due to the Jim Crow laws. Segregation was everywhere. Everything was separate, from schools and stores to restaurants and water fountains.
"I have as much right
As the other fellow has
To stand
On my two feet
And own the land.
I tire so of hearing people say,
Let things take their course.
Tomorrow is another day.
I do not need my freedom when I'm dead.
I cannot live on tomorrow's bread."
In this part of the poem Langston is basically saying that all this racial prejudice is uncalled for, he has all the right to be free and own land just as any one else. Langston says he's tried of waiting for things to change and being told that it will come when it comes. He wants a change and he wants it now. He wants to be free just as everyone else is. We're all humans but not all are treated as such.
It would be a productive to put this in context of other Hughes poems written around this time, such as "Harlem"... also, see my comments on Hughes in blogs from previous classes, as well as the opening post to the class blog.
ReplyDeleteDo you still think the African American community or race are still facing these challenges in today's world even as time has passed since he wrote this strong poem and deliver a messege to its readers to have a rigth to fight for their cause? Also I would like to say I like some your point which was "Langston is basically saying that all this racial prejudice is uncalled for, he has all the right to be free and own land just as any one else".
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