I, Too
By: Langston Hughes
I Too Am America - Great Debaters
I, Too
By: Langston Hughes
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well
and grow strong
Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When Company comes,
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen"
Then.
Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed-
I, too, am America.
By: Langston Hughes
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well
and grow strong
Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When Company comes,
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen"
Then.
Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed-
I, too, am America.
Summary and Theme
African Americans are equal Americans. Just because we look different does not mean we are different. Although we are segregated today, we will not be segregated tomorrow. We are becoming more confident and closer to equality. You'll see how similar and equal we all are, and you will be ashamed of how you treated us differently; for we are Americans too.
Poet Bio
Langston Hughes
1902- 1967
An African American writer at the time of the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes wrote to help promote the end of racial discrimination and injustice. Not only did he write poetry, but he also published fiction, drama, autobiography, and translations.
1902- 1967
An African American writer at the time of the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes wrote to help promote the end of racial discrimination and injustice. Not only did he write poetry, but he also published fiction, drama, autobiography, and translations.
Important Lines
"Tomorrow/ I'll be at the table/ When company comes."
Here, Hughes's tone is very confident and it reassures the reader with a sense of determination that segregation will end.
"They'll see how beautiful I am/ And be ashamed"
In this quote, Hughes is conveying his thoughts on those who separated the races will act. Once again, he is being firm and confident that this time will pass and segregation will end.
Here, Hughes's tone is very confident and it reassures the reader with a sense of determination that segregation will end.
"They'll see how beautiful I am/ And be ashamed"
In this quote, Hughes is conveying his thoughts on those who separated the races will act. Once again, he is being firm and confident that this time will pass and segregation will end.