'Let America Be America Again' By Langston Hughes: Poem Analysis

“Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be” (Hughes). Langston Hughes said this in his poem “Let America be America again.” Hughes is conveying that the American Dream has changed from when it was the goal of every person in America and coming to America. The American Dream is what motivated people to come to the new world and start their lives with equal opportunity. It has evolved along with the ideals of the nation into “the dream that’s almost dead today”(Hughes). Although the American Dream is harder to achieve, it is still attainable to people today.
The main problem with the interpretation of the American Dream today is that achieving the dream equals financial success. Everyone wants an extravagant lifestyle with a lavish house, two expensive cars, and children.
In the novel Nickel and Dimed Barbara Ehrenreich described her advantage of being white: “unlike many low-wage workers, I have the further advantages of being white and a native English speaker”(Ehrenreich 16). Because she is white and can speak English, she will have the upperhand in the search for a job than somebody who appears foreign or speaks English as their second language. This becomes a serious roadblock for immigrants from impoverished countries who travel to America with the American Dream in their minds. This shows that not everybody has equal opportunity to achieve the dream. This also speaks for African-Americans and Native Americans. Ehrenreich does not just believe she has the advantage against Hispanics or Europeans, she believes she has the upperhand against anyone who is not white. While this is extremely unethical and goes against most ideas that our country was founded upon, it happens. Non Americans that are more qualified for the job are turned down in favor of white Americans. While it is wrong, race has a big influence on creating a life in America and ultimately achieving the American