Raymond Smith once wrote: "Hughes attempted to integrate the two aspects of double consciousness (the American and the Negro) into a single vision: that of a poet." Langston Hughes, perhaps the most important black American poet, frequently incorporates these complementary aspects of consciousness into his poetry. The concept of a multifaceted consciousness is exposed in his poems through the intertwining of the black perspective with the broader American one. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay As demonstrated in his poem "American Heartbreak," Hughes depicts an American issue using themes more common to African-American art. In this composition the primary expression is that of the American ideal of freedom. The recognition that a certain degree of freedom exists is significant as it describes the ability of black people to express themselves, just as the author is doing in this poem. Contrary to the prevailing theory that America is the land of equality, the speaker recognizes a number of shortcomings of this proclaimed freedom when put into practice. He believes that "Freedom / stamps its foot" on the group of people it has ignored throughout American history. While the idea that a single group lacks freedom is not unique to blacks, it is expressed in much of their artwork. Hughes also cites a historical event when he refers to "The great mistake / That Jamestown / Made long ago." This allusion refers to the founding of plantations and the implementation of a system that required the subjugation of an entire race. This obviously inhibits the freedom of subjugated people who have been deprived of their basic human rights. As such, Hughes is addressing a message to America that declares the need for unhindered freedom and the reconciliation of past grievances. The poem "Democracy" discusses the lack of freedom and the incorrect methods used to achieve it. He criticizes the fear tactics used to achieve democracy by stating, “Democracy will not come… through compromise and fear.” Hughes seems to believe that the government system in the United States was built at the expense of the needs and desires of black people. They had to sacrifice themselves and their families to build this nation through the submissive travesty of slavery. The speaker also "gets tired of hearing people say: /" Let things take their course. / Tomorrow is another day."" In essence, it condemns those who take a passive approach towards achieving equality and freedom, both of which are guaranteed to all by the documents on which this country was founded. He is also promoting the establishment of true democracy through effort and cooperation between the races. Like many black people, the speaker recognizes that he does not enjoy the same freedom as other individuals. He pleads, “I want freedom / Just like you.” At the time this poem was composed, black people were still feeling the effects of discrimination and oppression. From this it can be safely assumed that the speaker is a black individual who has experienced this and desires equality, as people of all races do. In this way, he merges the American ideal of freedom with an analysis of the same from the African-American perspective. Offering another form of double consciousness, “Refugee in America” combines an American perspective with that of an unidentified refugee, who is not necessarily black. This poem celebrates the principle of freedom expounded in America. The speaker states, “on my heartstrings freedom sings / All day, every day.” This individual has such a positive disposition as a result of a.