Poem-"I, Too" by Langston Hughes

[Ms. Knarr]

"I, Too" By Langston Hughes 1902–1967



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.

[alexacevedo]

1. The piece here, "I, Too", is a very simplistic and subtle piece on American society. Consisting of no more than 17 stanzas and 82 words, the piece is a brief reflection on how Langston Hughes felt African-American culture would come into being. He reflects upon the status of the 'darker brother', separated and isolated from his fellow man by the color of his skin and viewed as inferior by white society.

He notes however, a progression that occurs unbeknownst to the others, his culture growing stronger and more prominent with each passing day. Hughes, through the metaphor of the meal, describes the plan of the darker brother to 'be at the table' and to be acknowledged. Furthermore, he describes how they shall 'be ashamed', having left the beauty of his kind unnoticed. Both these passages refer to the Harlem Renaissance which Hughes was a part of and the coming explosion of not only African-American culture as a part of the mainstream, but the African-American identity as a whole.

He says all these things in the affirmative, noting these things not as a possibility but as definite change to happen in the near future. To Hughes, these changes are inevitable, just as the tides and the rising of the sun. Building on the first statement, the reason for these things to come is provided in the final line, "I, too, am America."

2. I personally liked this piece very much, for both it's power and simplicity. In my opinion, the poem was improved by its brevity, each word having greater emphasis and strength because of the stylistic choice. Power best describes this poem, as it evokes a sense of coming strength and vitality, renewed after years of suppression. The use of metaphor and the relative simplicity match these raw emotions, fitting the theme perfectly.

Questions:

1. Does Langston Hughes feel African-American society will be accepted, or just acknowledged?

2. What is 'American' culture? Are there any defining traits, or can anyone be 'American'?

3. To what extent has Langston Hughes' prediction regarding the future of African-American culture come true? What and what not has changed in our society?

4. Why does Langston Hughes' adjust the statement of the first stanza in the final stanza?

[morganclyne]

1. In my opinion, I believe that this poem by Langston Hughes is about the African American race being unacknowledged by the white superior race. In the poem, Hughes shows how the white race doesn't appreciate anyone who is a different color then them and how the black race must put on a front in order to one day be accepted and superior as well. I feel the overall meaning was to show how at the time the African American community was not accepted and had many hardships to overcome. Hughes showed the pain they felt through this poem.
2.In reaction to this piece, I really enjoyed reading it. In so little amount of words Hughes was able to express such a strong sense of hurt and so much insight into the world of an African American at the time. Just as Alex had said the poem express power and it truly is able to describe such pain through a simple metaphor. I really enjoyed reading this poem as it has touched me.
3.In response to Alex's question number three, I believe Langston Hughes prediction for the African American's future culture has came true. African American's today in my opinion are accepted into our American society and there are no more barriers or little if any. I think so much has changed since this poem was written and Langston would be proud to see what America has become. Even to say that the African American culture is superior, we even have an African American president now. Furthermore, my question in regard to this poem would be Do you believe Hughes thought that the African American society would actually one day be accepted or do you feel it was only a dream at the time?

[paulabatoon]

1. I believe that in this poem, Langston Hughes is speaking for all of the African Americans at the time this was written. He may also be speaking for the other minorities as well. This piece shows that at the time, blacks and other minorities were shunned and ignored by the whites. However, the poem shows that Langston Hughes was optimistic about the future of the African American race. He speaks of future racial equality, similar to Martin Luther King's "I Had a Dream" speech.

2. I liked the poem for its message and readability. Hughes is talking about his vision for the future of African Americans, which thankfully came true. From reading this poem, one gets a sense of optimism and renewal. What I also liked about this poem is how Hughes manages to get his point across in a simple, 19-line, easy to read poem.

3. (In response to Morgan's question) I believe Hughes truly thought that the African American society would one day be accepted. Otherwise, he would have never written this poem. To other African Americans, however, racial equality may have been just a dream. But for Langston Hughes personally, he truly believed that African Americans would one day be accepted into American society.
My question: How do you think other African Americans responded to this poem?

[colleenpoling]

1. In Langston Hughes' poem "I,Too", I believe he is speaking up for what he believes is wrong and what needs to change. He is speaking as being treated unfairly and as a minority just because the color of his skin is not white. He is standing up for African Americans and the need for them to be treated the same as whites during this time period and further on. The overall meaning of his poem, is to show the optimistic minorities such as himself, in the African American race, changed today's world for the better and stood up for what was only right.

2.I really liked this poem because it was an easy read and it really got a huge point across in simple terms. It gave off confident and up beat feelings in standing up for whats right. African American's rights and treatment was a huge issue in America's history and Langston Hughes really capitalized on this which is very important. This poem really touched me and i think personally it would give the same feeling to any individual who reads it.

3.(In response to Paula's question) Other African American's would truly enjoy this poem for many of the same reasons I did, but also very more personal reasons. I think that African Americans who read this would be so touched because Langston Hughes was preaching for the future of African American freedom and treatment. Each and everyone of their lives could haven been completely different if he and other minorities did not preach. He said it so powerfully and simply that the readers would connect very easily and deeply.
My question: Do you think Langston Hughes and other African Americans thought that the whites and those degrading the African American race were eventually ashamed of how they treated them?

[darbycasey]

1. I agree with Morgan and Paula. This poem is a prime example of racism and segreation that went on during this time period. Here Hughes shows us how the whites, who thought themselves superior, didn't even recognize wht they were doing to these African Americans. Meanwhile, the African Americans are feeling oppressed and rejected from society, but they are hopeful because they know that one day in the future they will be free from this slavery and be equal to the whites. This was a drive for many African Americans, as we see here. This African American knows that he may be a different color than his master, but he recognizes that they are both Americans, despite their appearences.

2. I also liked this poem. I agree with Paula on how it was very readable. I also liked that It's message was clear and understanable. This poem provided an optomistic view for African Americans. In American today we can see that these African Americans' hopes for equality and freedom from slavery have come true. Overall I enjoyed this poem for its simple read with a strong important message.

3. (In response to Paula's question) I think African Americans today would see this poem as an accomplishment. They have come a long way from the days of slavery. I think they would agree that the dream and hope of this African American in the poem has now become a reality. I think African Americans of the time period in which this was written may think of this poem as proof they were not treated well, but they all had hopes for a better future.

My Question: How do you think white Americans today would feel about this situation in the poem?

[mattteryek]

1. I agree with Paula, and Darby. This poem is a great example of how African Americans were segregated from whites. Langston Hughes wrote how African Americans felt at a time when racial inequality was a way of life. Despite the rejection most African Americans experienced, Hughes shows their optimism for the future. A future in which both white and blacks could eat in the same room and have a common quality of being an American.

2. I also liked this poem because it can relate to any minority group today that is segregated or oppressed. In Langston Hughes' situation it was the African Americans that were oppressed, but today there are multiple groups that face similar inequalities. However, most of all I liked Langston Hughes' optimism for a better future.

3.(In response to Darby's Question) I feel most white Americans today feel that racial inequality is not a serious situation. Most would assume that racial inequality was resolved during the Civil Rights movement. However, I feel there continues to be some racial tensions between whites and African Americans on a less severe level.

My Question: In what areas of the world do you think there are racial inequalities currently?

[kevinskocypec]

1. I agree with Alex and Colleen. Hughes is showing how, although African Americans we looked on poorly, they were still part of America. Despite being forced to not eat with other when white people came over, Hughes still wanted to feel like he belonged. In the lines "Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” he is expressing how he will fight for what is right so he will be respected.

2. I enjoyed reading this piece. It is describing the core of racial segregation and how he was reacting to it. "I, Too" really showed me the mindset of Blacks when racism was extremely worse. I felt sad as I was reading the poem, but after understanding it, I now see what he was expressing and how far this country has veered from racism. There is still racism, but it is a ton lesss than back then because of people like Langston Hughes.

3. (In response to Matt's Question) I believe the is racism in every country. In smaller towns in the United States, where jobs and food are very scarce, I feel like there is racial segregation. It may have been a result of our mistakes early on in our country's history that brought about poor conditions for some.

My Question: Was this poem a broad explanation about all African Americans of the time, or is this a true story about his life?

[alexacevedo]

1. I agree with all the responses that came after my post, and their elaboration on my original point. In particular, I agree with Matt about how this social structure had become a way of life at the time, and must add like any way of life, it was particularly hard to change due to it being embedded in American culture at the time. I also agree with Kevin, who noted that even though some whites of the period viewed African-Americans as something other than entirely American, the opposite held true, as the black-American was something entirely unique to the country that did not exist in standard African culture.

2. In response to Matt's question, I feel that there are still particular 'hotspots' where racial inequality and tensions remains. In certain areas of the South, the last place where racial barriers fell, there still remains some bigoted views regarding race. Large cities such as Chicago and New York City are also subject to racial tensions, due to the variety of different cultures that exist within a metropolitan setting. Like Kevin said, these tensions increases depending on the amount of poverty that exists inside a particular city.


EDIT: I forgot to add a question. Whoops.

Anyways, my question is this: Besides the reasons listed above, why is there so much racial tension in an inner-city neighborhood?

[martinwawszkowicz]

1. In this poem, I agree with all of my peers on their interpretations. Even though Hughes recognizes the racism that is at hand in America at this time, he is saying that one day it will all be over and the white man will eat with the black man. That segregation will end one day, and everybody on this world are equal together. Americans should not be segregated by the color of their skin, but must stick together in order to show how beautiful we all are together.

2. I personally, really enjoyed every word of this inspiring poem. It made me realize what kind of world it used to be when black people and white people were segregated from each other. The poem also showed hope. Hope for a future that even when you are not treated the way you are supposed to be, change can happen for the better.

3. In response to Colleen's question, I believe that African Americans and Hughes later would think that the whites and those degrading them feel ashamed for the way that they treated them. Those that treated the African Americans poorly and unequally would see how well the world functions today with everybody working together. They would feel bad for ever making them eat in the kitchen, downgrading them just because of the color of their skin.

My question: What does Hughes think will change, in order for him to be able to sit at the table? Or will he just sit there with no questions asked?

[veronicapuzio]

1. I agree with everyone's responses on this poem. The overall meaning is that even though the character in the poem is colored, he too, is the voice of America. This also is the author's dream that he will not be sent to the kitchen to eat, but he will be able to overcome that prejudice and be able to join hands with the rest of the world that will also see him as "beautiful". It also is saying that he also makes up America, not only the whites. This poem also shows the disrespect the masters had for their slaves by sending them into the kitchen to eat.

2. I liked this poem very much. It was straightforward and presents an issue than can easily be stopped. Hughes in comparison with Martin Luther King, presents a dream in which he no longer has to be in the closet because of his race. He can finally overcome descrimination, which later on comes true. The message of the poem was very clear and concise.

3. To answer Martin's question, I think that what will change to allow Hughes to sit at the table is the change of discrimination against blacks. It is actually presented metaphorically. The table represents American and the freedom he will face. Also, I think that if he did sit at the table he would feel free, and more like an American. Also, if Hughes has a great hope in sitting at the table. Hughes thinks that in order for him to sit at the table his masters must view him differently, and that's what will change.
My (Q): Is the man in the poem Hughes himself? Why or Why not?

[briannadiassi]

1. I agree with Morgon that Langston Hughes feels unappreciated and is made out to be lower than other people. The poem shows how he sees the racism and segregation in his everyday life and how it needed to be changed so that everyone is equal.
2. I liked the poem, I agree it was easy to read and understand but had deeper meanings than eating at a table. I agree with Matt too because it can be used today with different groups and the original foundation of America: that everyone is equal and free.
3. To answer Veronica's question, I don't think Hughes was specifically talking about himself, but rather the entire African American slave population. That they were all looked down upon at the time, but in the end everyone would be equal and they'll see how wrong slavery was, and see that everyone is a person and not property based on one's race or image. My question - What do you think he means when he says, "I, too, sing America."?

[seanpalen]

1. I agree with what Brianna said. It is obvious that Langston feels extremely under appreciated and he is lashing out through literature. He makes the point that when company comes he must eat in the kitchen. He is disrespected by this and vows that someday nobody will dare say that to him. I think Langston would really enjoy today's society especially now that we have a black president and we have all seen that his literature is beautiful.

2. I liked the poem. It was very direct and simple but powerful. The poem illustrates how African Americans of Langston's time must of felt. After reading this poem I feel awful about how blacks of Langston's time were treated.

3. Brianna's Question- I think Langston is saying that he is an American too and should be treated like one. As it says in the Declaration of Independence "All people were created equal" and Langston is frustrated that he is not treated as an equal.
My Question- What do you think Langston would think of today's society?