Don’t You Want to Be Free, Langston Hughes?
The poetry of Langston Hughes has held an important role in championing the fight for civil rights and freedom in America. His work has captivated the public imagination by evoking an indomitable spirit of hope, strength, and perseverance. The themes of freedom, justice, and the pursuit of human rights remain iconic aspects of his works.
The works of Hughes ring out with profound messages of freedom and justice, uniting onlookers in both despair and in celebration. His powerful, poetic words echo the struggles of African Americans throughout the ages. Hughes wrote of oppression, segregation and exclusion – of both the literal and symbolic – but also of a nation that could be beautiful and a future that could be great.
Today, Hughes’ words continue to offer a message of hope, not just for the African American community, but for all those who are oppressed, ignored and forgotten. One popular poem, “Let America Be America Again”, symbolizes the dreams of a nation that values justice, equality and freedom. The poem’s title, as suggestive as it is, imparts a powerful message of hope and freedom to any reader.
In Hughes’ poem, readers can find solace in knowing that despite hardship and oppression, America is still a place of hope, of dreams and of achievable change. Hope and optimism are vital psychological resources that can help cultivate resilience throughout any adversity. Social psychologist, Carol Ryff, has shown that “hopeful thinking” can help people to recover from psychological distress and difficult times.
Staying hopeful and refusing to become jaded in the face of difficulty is indeed a formidable challenge. Yet, we must remember that life is all about making choices, facing tough realities and revising our ideas about what is possible. To face challenges and strive for progress, we can look to the immutable words of Langston Hughes for solace and inspiration. Hughes’ poetry encourages readers to embrace the beauty of the “will to be free” and to never let themselves be forced into complacency.
Emancipation at the Global Level
The notion of being “free” also has a global meaning, one that can be applied to many different contexts. Inspired by the work of Langston Hughes, freedom is often associated with emancipation from the constraints of past boundaries and oppression. It can refer to an individual’s or group’s liberation of natural or mundane boundaries, or an individual’s or group’s liberation of mental, emotional and political boundaries. Thus, when analyzing Hughes’ work and his ideals of freedom, it is important to consider a global perspective.
The philosopher Kant famously argued that all people should be seen as members of “a universal society of human beings”, thus implying a sense of global solidarity and empathy. Kant’s perspective raises a fundamental question: do we not owe a basic level of protection and liberty to those who inhabit the same world as us? Could a global movement of goodwill and understanding be instigated by the power of Hughes’ words?
During a speech at the United Nations in 1949, Robert Oppenheimer reaffirmed the importance of recognizing the equal worth of all humans. He argued that to allow any one group of people to have a lesser quality of existence than the rest is to contaminate the moral fiber of the whole world. Such a notion could be understood as part of the philosophical aspect of Hughes’ call for freedom, a call that extends beyond the African-American experience to one of global responsibility and liberation.
Indeed, to truly answer the question of freedom posed in Hughes’ work, we must look beyond tradition and understand how each of our actions and beliefs can help to create a better world for all. We must look beyond local borders, beyond primary identities and beyond the historical narratives of the past.
Freedom Through Education
For many, education has long been seen as a path to self-determination and social change. Hughes believed that explicit knowledge and critical understanding of the world could be gained through education. As he once said in a dated speech on September 23, 1950, “Education is one of the most powerful weapons with which a free people can arm itself.”
The right to education is a fundamental human right. Without education, individuals cannot really be expected to make informed and intelligent decisions regarding the well-being of their societies. An educated population can be seen as a primary foundation on which basic rights and freedoms can be exercised, protected and maintained.
The poet and activist, Nina Simone, once said that “the only way a nation can be really free is through education.” Education provides individuals with access to a wealth of resources, ideas and opportunities that can help to shape a more equitable society. Policymakers and educators alike should ensure that all members of society have the opportunity to receive a quality education, regardless of race, class or gender. This ensures that communities are able to achieve true freedom and justice through education.
Freedom to Consider Alternative Perspectives
One of the greatest aspects of freedom is the ability to consider different perspectives. This helps to foster accurate, objective and empathetic understanding of the world. To be free is to have the right to question and challenge the status quo, to explore different ideologies, and to attempt to make sense of the facts and lies that exist in our societies.
This is something that Langston Hughes was all too aware of. He was a key advocate of exploring and considering different perspectives, and believed that expanding one’s worldview was an essential part of understanding the bigger picture, both literally and figuratively. As he wrote in his essay, “Aims of Racial Equality”, “All of us have our own individual views, and by talking with each other, understanding each other and our points of view, we will move closer towards the goal of true equality.”
All too often, individuals become entrenched in their own perspectives and close themselves off to developing a better understanding of the beliefs and opinions of those around them. To be truly “free”, one must respect the rights of others and be open to alternative ideas and opinions. This can help to create an environment of mutual respect and understanding, one which is far more likely to produce meaningful social change.
Freedom as an Ongoing Process
True freedom is not something that can be achieved overnight, nor is it something that can be taken for granted. To ensure freedom for all, we must continuously strive for progress and growth. We must take the necessary steps to ensure that our society is a safe, tolerant and equitable space. The path to freedom is not an easy one, and it requires the commitment of individuals around the world to fight for justice.
Langston Hughes encourages us to look to the future with determination and optimism, always remembering to “hold fast to dreams”. In his iconic words, “Let us not wallow in the valley of despair”, but instead “fling our banners to the air.” Hughes’ words remind us that we should never give up hope, never accept apathy and never relent in our pursuit of freedom. As he wrote, “I, too, sing America.”
Freedom From Internal Barriers
Realizing the kind of freedom envisioned by Langston Hughes is a challenge not only of societal restrictions but, often, of personal ones, too. All too often, we set boundaries on ourselves without even being aware that we are doing it. By restraining ourselves to our own fears and assumptions we can limit our progress and prevent ourselves from achieving our full potentials.
Therefore, in our quest for freedom, we must work to confront the barriers that exist within ourselves. These barriers can include fear, anxiety, shame and guilt, or feelings of low self-esteem or worth. To live freely, we must lift the invisible chains that hold us back and actively step out of our comfort zone. We must find ways to let go of outdated notions and to start looking at things from a different perspective.
We must also recognize that life does not always go as planned. We must be willing to accept when things don’t work out, and to trust that our paths are taking us exactly where we need to go, even if it doesn’t feel that way. In short, we must learn to embrace the uncertainty and unpredictability of life and trust that we are moving in the right direction.
The Road to Freedom is Long and Winding
For individuals and communities that have been oppressed and discriminated against, the road to freedom is long and winding. Yet, it is an important journey that is not only necessary, but also one that should be celebrated and honored. To truly understand and be free, we need to recognize the strength and power within ourselves, as well as within others.
It is essential that we continue to work towards a society that offers basic liberties, equitable opportunities, and justice for all. As Langston Hughes wrote, “Yes, we all want to be free.” Evoking these powerful words can help to keep us motivated and inspired to fight for the cause of freedom, justice, and equality in the world.
Commitment to True Freedom
It is quite clear from Hughes’ words that freedom is not something we can take for granted, or something that can be realized overnight. True freedom requires us to make a conscious effort to understand, respect and protect the rights of all people. This involves a dedication to working towards a safer and more equitable world, free of injustice and discrimination.
To truly stand in solidarity with Hughes’ vision of freedom, we must strive to create a world in which everyone can thrive, a world where individuals can realize their fullest potential. We must believe in a better tomorrow, and never lose sight of the dreams and hopes we hold for the world.
