What aspect of American identity is critiqued in Claude McKay's "America"?

The critique of American identity in Claude McKay's poem "America" revolves around the coexistence of beauty and brutality. The poem presents a complex view of America, highlighting both its alluring qualities and its harsh realities. McKay uses vivid imagery and emotional language to juxtapose the beauty of the American landscape and the promise of opportunity against the backdrop of oppression, racism, and violence faced by African Americans. This duality emphasizes the contradictions within the American experience, suggesting that while America can be a place of dreams and aspirations, it can also harbor significant injustice and suffering. The acknowledgment of this coexistence invites readers to reflect on the multifaceted nature of their own national identity and the aspects that contribute to both its allure and its failures.