Pride (in a positive way)

Core:

To be American means to a person with an American citizenship through birth or naturalization. All Americans deserve these rights and protection not just those deemed more desirable (white)

As a black man during the early 20th century with rampant racism in society and the law with Jim Crow in the south and segregation throughout the country he felt as though the country was working against him to keep him from experiencing freedom guaranteed to each and every American.

The concept of who is truly an American has never had one simple definition and even today there are many heated debates about who is truly american and what classifies that. But as America's mainstream media becomes more progressive and more laws to protect BIPOC are created minorities are slowly being let in to experience what it truly means to be American with all the freedoms that are guaranteed in the constitution.

Closing:  

BIPOC, immigrants, and other minorities are excluded from being an “American”. The people in power believe things are going well now that segregation and civil rights have been addressed in the 60s-70s and nothing more is needed.

It is saying despite the hate still prevalent today they are American and their hate towards them cannot take that away. It’s also a hollow way corporations try to milk the civil rights movements of the present day.

Someone who is smart and challenges the information and reality presented before them (activists for example)

He compares the child to an eagle and a monster. These are appropriate because the comparisons are from the perspective of society and society sees the genius child as a wild beast that cannot be tamed.

To have repetition in the poem to create interest and rhythm. Since the question is posed twice it can also be assumed the question is rhetorical (no you cannot love the eagle)  

No, I struggle with presentations in class. I wouldn't be able to handle near constant media coverage and people scrutinizing every breath I take.

An insane person who makes good points.

Insanity either from the genius or the constant pressure from the media or society that they are conforming to much or not conforming.

I think there is a certain level of genius that comes with being such a prolific artist and I also believe just from what research I have done on him and what poetry I've read from him he was intelligent and outspoken.

Greta Thunberg, she is an outspoken young woman fighting for the future of our planet and is able to speak clearly and with conviction at international meetings pressing the issue of environmental protection shaming negotiators at a UN climate summit for their lack of action as well as businesses for being complacent. She is such a key figure in the global fight for environmental protection which makes her a young genius.

Most people are afraid of death or have a certain understanding that it's just a natural part of life

He views dying and death as a change of state; saying that death never kills only changes

Based on the fact he thinks death is a change of state then living is just a state we exist in. His views on death could be formed from his catholic beliefs (afterlife is another state you live in). 

Change to Hughes is something becoming something that isn’t exactly the same as it was before and it’s impossible to be what you were before the change “To make it either more or less {but not the same thing again}”

My grandfather’s death (my first exposure to death of a loved one and going through the grieving process) and having conversations (good and bad) about death with my friends

She is firm but loving 

Keep on going even if it’s hard because if you stop it’s hard to get back up.

An easy life gives someone everything they want without having to work hard for it and generally allows the person to feel happier. The cost is not being able to appreciate what you have and thus making it easy to lose it and also takes away any experience you might need for life.

You are filled with wisdom from your previous experiences and can support yourself not to mention you truly appreciate what you have. The cost is often mentality stability and constantly having to struggle to survive. 

You gain wisdom through experience.

His religious background influences that with the stairway to heaven representing the progression to the afterlife. Another reason for that could also be the idea that you are always trying and working for a better life so your life is a constant move up even when you take a break or stumble back.