Abena Koomson performs "Let America Be America Again" by Langston Hughes
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ย. 2024
- Poets in Unexpected Places pop up at the holiday market in Union Square with poems in response to police brutality, a day after the non -indictment for the killing of Eric Garner.
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Incredible how relevant a poem from 1935 remains.
If I have any patriotism, it’s the patriotism Langston Hughes has in this poem, the hope that America will someday surpass what it is and become what it ought to be, a land where all can live in freedom and prosperity, liberated from hatred and exploitation.
Because the cartoon's original message was that America was never the America it was supposed to be, because of issues like inequality and lack of freedom in the population, such as blacks who were used as slaves, native Americans who were driven off the land or immigrants who were without hope. This eternal cycle of profit, power, land, and gold [...] never allowed society to fully concentrate on its problems and pushed people apart from one another.
In addition, it is clear that she does not only understand the message of the poem accurately, but that she also conveys her patriotic feelings through every word of the poem. Personally, I think it is great that a sophisticated woman like her got to read this poem before an audience, even if the audience is not that big. This type of effort is greatly needed nowadays.
Considering the fact that the original message of this cartoon was that America has never been the America which it was supposed to be due to the problems like inequality and lack of freedom in the population like for example black people who were used as slaves, native Americans that were driven from the land or immigrants who did not have any hope in the country at all. "The endless chain of profit, of power gain, of grab the land, of grab the gold {...}" never made it possible to fully concentrate on the problems of society and pushed people apart from each other.
Besides that, it is clear that she does not only present the message of the poem correctly, but she also makes it sound like she feels every word of this poem while unleashing her patriotic emotions. Personally, I'm glad that a sophisticated woman like her got to read this poem in front of an audience even if it is not that big. People need to see and hear more attempts like this nowadays.
(I was forced to write this comment)
Even though the poem ‘Let America Be America Again’ by Langston Hughes is from 1938, it is incredible how relevant it still is today. Take for example the Black Lives Matter movement which started through the death of George Floyd in mid-2020. It raised a lot of attention to the Police Brutality and had an impact on the whole world. This shows that some people in America still suffer from the inequality and the lack of freedom up until this day. In my opinion Hughes does a wonderful job in portraying the problems of the weaker people of society and what they must deal with every day. I also really like the performance of Abena Koomson in this video as she conveys the need of cohesion in our modern society very clearly and points out how the suppressed people must rise up and redefine American equality as it was always meant to be.
The delivery of this performance was just stunning. The emotions that she put into her voice feel genuine and therefore elucidate her compassion considering this poem, which I think is beautiful as it makes me, as the listener, feel personally spoken to.
(hi future STO students)
I am teaching Langston Hughes to my 8th graders, and plan to show this tomorrow. Thank you for sharing!
were watching it right now in 9th grade
I am here - three years after your comment - searching for an engaging reading of the poem after seeing Senator Booker mention this poem while speaking honor upon Supreme Court Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson. It is an opportunity to share the poem with my students and provide context.
In my opinion, this poem was relevant in 1928 and still is in 2022. It will be a clarion call for action every single day that someone in the USA is being treated unfairly because of his origin. Whether it be ones family background, ones race or ones looks. The poem by Langston Hughes isn't just a response to a period of crisis. It is a constitution which can be used to verify if the USA really is the land of the free or if it's just an unattainable beacon in the distance surrounded by racism and lies.
Great Performance. Unbelievable how well it fits and can be applied to our current situation almost 90 Years later
Langston Hughes compares the American Dream with the actual situation in America which is different by far. The idea of equality, peace and freedom was never realised. Abena Koomson points out that the "Negros," immigrants, and poor people must rise up and redefine American equality as it was always meant to be. He states emphatically, "We must take back our land again - America!" Even if America is now currently plagued by discrimination and greed, Koomson (and Hughes) believe that it can be improved.
Koomson's performance is relevant for not forgetting this strong idea of resistance.
What an AMAZING performance. Thank you Abena Koomson!!!!
This was performed wonderfully and what a voice you have !
Great Job :)
Thanks
I like the voice and the emotions behindthe poem that give a vibe of kindness
"The Attic, For a Kinder, Cooler America" sent me here. What a magnificent recitation! I have been moved to tears. Thank you.
BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! A brilliant reading by Abena Koomson. Absolutely brilliant!
Such a powerful poem - performed with perfect power and authority.... may it be so.
I really like the perfomance and the poem. I am also impressed how current the topic still is, almost 100 years later.
Keep up the good work!
The best Hughes performance I've ever seen
This beautiful and you have done a wonderful job preforming the poem !
I love the voice and the impressions you give, the topic is still current today I am a fan of what you did. I would like to hear more poems from you.
A masterpiece performed by a great artist
this woman is incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This poem really describes the issues America faces both in the past and in the present.
Grüße an Hr. St
Start Sharing this!
What an amazing person, really brought a tear to my eye.
When I found this poem I couldn't believe what a perfect response it was to #MAGA. Can we start a hashtag #MAA?
Make America Again? Excellent!
This poem is my holiest scripture.
It is a very great performance pretty much the yes.
Hallo Hr.S
Incredible.
I cried like a little baby.
Really cool video, very true what she did say. Inspirational woman is that guys. So much cool.
Brilliant and powerful
💖💖
Posted to Friends and Public. In sorrow for this election.
❤️🖤💚
Beautiful.
wow ... i love you sister and all our freedom fighters - we'll get there
Wow, and she didn't even put her purse down!
Great!
rock on Abena!
Wow.
Amazing, Black lives matter!
especially now
Fuyoh nice!!!
❤️
Art inspired by
LET AMERICA BE AMERICA
Show opening:
September 25, 2020
2:30pm - 4:00 pm
Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/j/86217820860
😊
AGAIN TODAY
Niklas is very cool hehe
First
yo maing she edumacated fo real an shiet nomesane wutamsayin?
+Slowekistan What are you on about, troll?
I can only hld so much shit in but I can't let shit out anymre 😪 dis is not me I'm da main person dat let a nigga kno bout dey self
Slowekistan I don’t care
South calofornia, my home town. This woman is a disgrace. #MAGA
Shes not a bad person she is just smart. trump 2020
Fantastic poem, fantastic recitation from memory.
Biden Harris 2020! Happy inauguration day! 1/20/2021
The real disgrace is that Langston Hughes' poem is so relevant still.