“Redeem the Dream”
“Redeem the Dream” is based on Langston Hughes’ poem “Let America Be America Again”, written in 1935. The poem reflects on the gap between the ideals of American democracy as articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the reality experienced by many people over our history. Yet the poem ends with hope that America can live up to its promises of freedom, equality, and opportunity for all. The poet affirms that we, the people, can and must redeem the vision of America and make America what it is intended to be. Hughes’ poem is introduced by words from the Declaration of Independence.
Hear and see samples:
Recording samples courtesy of Together In Hope Choir.
About the Text
“Let America Be America Again” is a poem written by Langston Hughes in 1935 which critiques the American Dream by highlighting the stark realities of inequality and lack of freedom experienced by marginalized groups, particularly African Americans, during the Great Depression; essentially arguing that the "American Dream" was not a reality for many people, despite the nation's ideals of liberty and equality for all.
The poem is considered a landmark piece of American literature, as it continues to resonate today as a call for social justice and equality. The poem asserts “the dream the dreamer’s dreamed” must be—that “we the people can redeem” the dream, “and make America again!” That is our current challenge: how do we make real the dreams of those founders to make America that land of equality, fairness, freedom and justice?
James Mercer Langston Hughes (1901–1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. One of the earliest innovators of the literary form called jazz poetry, Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. Growing up in the Midwest, Hughes became a prolific writer at an early age. He moved to New York City as a young man, where he made his career as a writer and poet. He gained notice from New York publishers, and became known in the creative community in Harlem. His first poetry collection, The Weary Blues, was published in 1926. In addition to poetry, Hughes wrote plays and published short story collections, novels, and several nonfiction works.
About the Composer
Brandon A. Boyd
Dr. Brandon A. Boyd is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Missouri, Columbia. In addition to his conducting duties, he teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting and choral music education. As holder of the Marie M. and Harry L. Smith Endowed Chair, he plans to undertake significant projects that will not only enhance academic discourse but also impact society at large. He appears regularly as a conductor, clinician, composer in residence, collaborative pianist, and lecturer.