Bitter taste liberty conveys a sense of disillusionment and frustration with the unfulfilled promises and contradictions inherent in the concept of freedom for African Americans. Hughes uses the metaphor of a "bitter taste" to evoke the bittersweet reality of liberation: While legal emancipation brought formal recognition of freedom and equality, it failed to address the deeply entrenched societal issues and systemic racism that prevented African Americans from fully enjoying their newfound rights.
The phrase captures the dichotomy of freedom and oppression, highlighting the contrast between the legal freedom African Americans had achieved and the ongoing racial inequalities and social injustices they still encountered in their daily lives. This tension creates a sense of irony and bitterness, suggesting that the true essence of liberty remains elusive and incomplete for African Americans.
Overall, "bitter taste liberty" serves as a poignant commentary on the complexities and limitations of freedom in the context of African American history and experience. It underscores the ongoing struggle for civil rights, equality, and true liberation from racial oppression.