Equality
The motif of equality underscores the speaker's fervent desire for a society where all individuals are treated with fairness and equity. It acts as a reminder of the pervasive racial discrimination and segregation prevalent during the time the poem was written. The motif highlights not only political and civil equality, but also broader issues of social and economic justice as exemplified by the notion of owning the land. This motif also calls for social reform and highlights the enduring struggle for a more just and inclusive society.
Tomorrow's Bread
Tomorrow's bread in the poem symbolizes the idea of deferred hopes and postponed rights. It conveys the speaker's skepticism towards the notion of waiting for a better future or relying on the passage of time to bring about change. By emphasizing that they "cannot live on tomorrow's bread" the speaker emphasizes the immediate hunger for justice and equal rights, suggesting that these fundamental needs must be met today not in some distant and uncertain future.
Freedom
The motif of freedom serves as the central and driving force behind the speaker's impassioned words. Freedom is portrayed as an intrinsic and vital aspect of the human condition, a birthright that transcends race, background, and circumstance. The speaker's intense yearning for freedom is palpable. The motif underscores the urgent need to break free from the shackles of discrimination and oppression. It represents the aspiration to live without fear or compromise.
