The Revolutionary Plea of Langston Hughes: "Let America Be America Again."

We begin with the words of poet and author, Mr. James Mercer Langston Hughes (1901-1967), from a lecture he gave at UCLA on February 16, 1967, just three months before he left us in May of that year.

February 1, the birthdate of Langston Hughes, traditionally marks the kickoff of “Black History is American History Month,” which is, perhaps, a good time to reflect on the life, work and words of a brother who, rightfully so, enjoys such high esteem within the culture. So, let us, brothers and sisters, reflect on a piece of poetry by Brother Langston – a piece that was written in 1935 and first published in the July 1936 issue of Esquire magazine.

But first, because context is key, let us revisit a moment in these United States of America, when 56 men from 13 American colonies joined together to throw off their subjection to a king who no longer served their collective wants, will and their hopes for these United States of America.

In the spirit of Sankofa, we now go back to fetch the past, so that we can reinterpret it into present moments that empower us for the future.

#blackhistoryisamericanhistory #langstonhughes #declarationofindependence