In “Paradoxes of American Individualism,” Claude S. Fischer points out the contradictions in American individualism similar to those recognized in “American Society” by Robin M. Williams, Jr. He states that American society is based less on individualism, and more on the principle of voluntarism, where one must conform to rules set forth by the society by choosing to be a part of it.
In his poem, Langston Hughes describes his disappointment with the American Dream and suggests that the United States does not provide freedom and equality for all. It begins with the concept of the American Dream, which Hughes states he has never witnessed. It then transitions to the “real America” from the perspective of the working poor, Black Americans, Natives, and immigrants. In the poem, the underprivileged people are the ones who have built America from the ground up on this idea that everyone should be equal and free. However, the reality is that these ideals have never been supported. Hughes puts emphasis on how the very people who had created America and made the idea of the American Dream possible have been failed by it. Based on the article, since Americans freely choose to remain American therefore must adhere to the rules set forth by the nation. The people described in Hughes’s poem did not create this country to be made slaves to their labor and for the lower class to be exploited by the greediness of those above them. When looking at it through the lens of individualism mentioned in the article, the injustices faced by the underprivileged people are not addressed. If they do not like the conditions in which they are working, they should simply choose to not be a part of American society.
Contrary to Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman talks of America as being a place where all people are equal no matter their differences. We are all alike in a different way. We all have the same opportunities presented in life, it just matters how we use those chances. However, the “all” that he talks about in this poem simply refers to the rich and able.
You made a point on what Hughes was trying to say in his poem. It doesn’t makes sense why people aren’t haven’t freedom despite the US claiming it is the land of the free. Especially when it is the reason why people from other countries come to the US for, and they aren’t getting any of that. Some of the foreigners are even being look down upon just because they are of a different race.
Hi Mahbuba, I like how you mentioned Fischer implied that Americans have the freedom (through voluntarism) ‘to remain American therefore must adhere to the rules set forth by the nation. The people described in Hughes’s poem did not create this country to be made slaves to their labor and for the lower class to be exploited by the greediness of those above them. ‘ This surely obliviates the suffering faced by the underprivileged.