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.
Notes
http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoem.do?poemId=1552
Listen to Langston Hughes read this poem recorded in 1955
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Comments
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great poem
From guest Abby (contact)
I did a reserch paper on this poem and i found it to be one of Hughes best poems because it mentions excalty what African Americans have gone through. -
I Too, Sing America
From guest Carmese (contact)
This poem speaks of the victorious, triumphant and optimistic attitude we as African Americans have in the face of our oppressors. He held himself at high regards, despite the opressor's depiction of who he was. Here, a slave who just longs for the simple civil liberties. To sit at the table and be noted for instead of being a pariah just because of the hue of his skin. My ancestors built this country and yet why is some 400 years later some of us are still not fully abled to sit at the table and have a fare share of the pie? -
oh good heavens, langston hughes.
i'm still in love with you... -
Reverse Image Concept
I am glad someone can write a poem for all those who have been stigmatize by a poor self image because of someone ideal of imperfection. I please me to know that I don't have to see myself as other see me base on any external characteristic as such but base on my own perception of myself. -
seems like a poem written half a century back...
the tone of the poem seems gentle... yet steadfast about his views on rights... as he addresses himself as a brother of america, but just dark skinned...
seems he accepts with the reality of oppression, years back... but seems a content man... as he is hopeful and optimistic, that ignorance would be vanquished and tolerance embraced... once he gains the company of dark population... and their voice would be heard ...
and he rightfully says he is an american... as to denote the liberty and comeptence in equality
and so 'be ashamed' -- is about people with discrimination attitude.
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heartwarming
This poem just speaks in such a way that makes you feel uplifted -
I think that Hughes poems is a reflection on Walt Whitman's Poem, " I Hear America Singing." Hughes is saying that he too is American and sings his song proudly as does tha boatman or teh carpenter in Whitman's poem.
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I like the fact that "darker brother" doesn't have to mean the "black man" it can be used as a representation of anyone oppressed by not necessarily the white man, but a ruling society. This truly a great work of poetry...--Unique
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i like that he shows that he is trying to explain that colored people are jst as equal
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I think that he exspes his fellings
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My class enjoyed it for a class poetry reading.
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Dan in 2004, raised a few thought-provoking questions and I'd like to respond to them by saying that the "company" was probably the "non-soul" friends of the master - if you will, and the term "brother" says to me that "I" relates to any other person that he believes they have a common tie.
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The poem was actually written in 1922.
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whats the tone, and imagery of this poem ???
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My dog was named after this poem, his name was Itu or I, Too.
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I am pleased that there are poets like langston hughes who denounce these problems the way he does.This world needs people like him.
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Langston Hughes is an inspiring man to write whatever he writes in his poetry and he will not be forgotten
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I think this poem is really inspiring and so moving.
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The poem was written in 1925...
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Does any one know when this poem was written?
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This poem just goes to show other how much african americans have gone through. This poem should be at the top of everyones list.
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I think it is amazing that Langston Hughes can tell so much about how he feels about prejudice in one poem. He expresses so much and it really moves me. Hughes is a very smart man and I would love to learn more about him.
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I was raised on Langston Hughes, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Countee Cullen, Lorraine Hansberry, Zora Neal Hurston, and many more. My dad was a professor of literature at Case Western Reserve University. I am grateful for the influences of such a master poet as Sir Langston. It is true, he was not only the poet laureate for the Black Community but for the masses. Thanks AP for featuring this extrardinary poet.
Charles~
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As a fellow African-American, I just have to say, I'm thankful Langston Hues wrote such things that influenced America. This is also one of my favorites, and I love it more and more everytime I read it--Ann
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Langston Hughes was an amazing African-American poet of his time. This is one of my favorite poems by him. A sad but true poem of the African-American people. I loved it.
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i had to memorize and recite this poem for junior english last year.. i love it!
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well as you will see on my page! this man is some one i read alot! i love his work!
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Who is the company who is coming over i wonder. Maybe there is some kind of reason he has to hide his race, and now he is tired of it. That is why I question the word brother in this poem. If you have any insight please tell me your results.
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I love this poem - .... I love his want to be brave and prove the "prejudice" wrong. And yet still be kind hearted. And all he's asking for is the "chance" to be treated equal - and he believes they'll love him, and feel ashamed for making him (a human being) be separated... Beautiful.. I wish I could applaud it..
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he,s a good poet jackie
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i love this poem
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i NEED to know the date.
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this guy at least writes good free verse. which means we all have lessons to learn from him. great: short and strong, not strung out or over streched.
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I need critism on this poem... got any?
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I would like to hear other reactions to this poem.
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