"Democracy" is a message poem. In the poem, author Langston Hughes argues that equality and justice ought to be universal and that African Americans should come to realize the true essence of democracy for them. The poem, which is told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator (likely an African American man, expresses the idea of the yet-to-be-fulfilled idea of democracy in America for African Americans.
Hughes begins the poem by stating that he cannot wait for someone else to grant him his freedom or for his future to be free from the negative effects of racism. He emphasizes that freedom and democracy should not be something that is perpetually delayed or something one has to wait for because of their skin color or because of their situation in life.
The narrator further argues that freedom should not be a gift given from one group to another. Instead, the narrator argues that freedom is a fundamental right that everyone should experience without conditions. He expresses his disdain for being told to wait, to trust those in power, or to believe in gradual change, which ultimately leads toward freedom. People, the narrator argues, need to take an active role in fighting for equality and democracy; if they don't, they are complicit.
Near the end of the poem, Hughes espouses the idea that, in order for democracy to be true and thrive, all voices—no matter their skin color—need to be heard and included. If not, then the so-called democracy is just a facade and has no proverbial teeth. He advocates for breaking the chains of oppression and achieving democracy through collective efforts.
