Featuring “Let America Be America Again”
text by Langston Hughes, composition by Frederick N. West

Music lifts the spirit of those suffering from oppression or feeling down in their life.

Seattle Peace Chorus, directed by Frederick N. West, performs with the Miho & Diego Duo. We sing Afro-Colombian songs from the fusion of Indigenous, Spanish, and African traditions. From there we turn to the powerful words of Langston Hughes. In contrast to those who call for America to be great for the privileged few, we call for America to be based on the equality of all people:

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed—
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.

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The Miho & Diego Duo, with Dr. Miho Takekawa on the marimba and Diego Coy on the quena, will introduce us to Bunde and Cumbia rhythms from Colombia.

Langston Hughes, an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist, known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance, wrote “Let America Be America Again” in 1935.

The poem speaks of the American dream that never existed for the lower-class American and the freedom and equality that every immigrant hoped for but never received. In his poem, Hughes represents not only African Americans, but other economically disadvantaged and minority groups as well.

Our baritone soloist is Yusef Seevers, an actor, dancer, singer, teacher, and entrepreneur.