I, Too

“I, Too,” written by Langston Hughes, expresses the degradation that African Americans have suffered since their arrival to this great country, and many decades following. This poem, written in 1932, reflects a time when African Americans are referred to as “colored people,” and suppressed from the American dream on the basis of skin color. The treatment of black America from a turbulent history that includes humiliations of yesterday to the triumphs of tomorrow is conveyed throughout the poem. Some people may argue that America is just a country nestled between two oceans, while others might argue that America is more than just a mere plot of land, but it is a belief or ideal that makes America. A belief; that America is embodied in the spirit of its citizens, and not the color of their skin.
“I, too, sing America,” (line 1) is a powerful statement made by the poet. The belief of what makes America the great country that it is, the poet feels that he possesses. The writer has the same hopes and dreams that others migrate to America to achieve. The prologue to the second stanza states “I am the darker brother,” (2) which signifies that it is skin color that makes up the difference between the writer and others. Differences are not found in the way the writer walks, talks, or even the color of his blood, but the only differences society allows itself to notice are found in the color of the writers’ skin. “They send me to eat in the kitchen when

company comes, but I laugh, and eat well, and grow strong,” (3-7) there is no need to question the color of the company; we can see that their color allows them to eat at the table without interacting with the darker brother. Treated as if he is inferior, he would be relegated away into the shadows of darkness as if he is a dark secret. Even though, this might show blatant disregard from the master, the darker brother would be degraded, and yet he somehow finds humor in this situation and laughs. From the seclusion of the kitchen, he is able to eat well so that he can grow strong for a new day that might bring brighter hope. “Eat well, and grow strong,” is a metaphor, it is not food that sustains the body, but food that nourishes the mind with education, body with hard work, and soul with the hopes and dreams needed to turn the tables on his oppressors. The old saying, “The best revenge is to do well,” is where he finds his humor.
The third stanza speaks volumes to the reader. Hughes speaks of “Tomorrow,” (8) a new day that will offer a new beginning for the darker brother. This day is obscured but, the hopes that it might bring may shed a new light on the disappointments of yesterday. Rejoice, the euphoria of these new beginnings are felt in the following sentences are read, “I’ll be at the table when company comes,” (9-10) the darker brother knows that the chains of his oppression are loosened because now he can sit at the table with the company and not scurried away as if his color might rub off and contaminate others. “Nobody’ll dare say to me, Eat in the kitchen, then,” (11-14) this new tomorrow will bring with it the same equality offered to any man, regardless of the color of his skin. I will have the same rights given to anyone that calls himself

an American. Division of color, speech, or sex will end. I am proud of the skin I am in, and not ashamed if others allow it to offend them.
Hughes ends the poem as he states “Besides, they’ll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed--,” (15-17) because of the treatment that suffered by himself and others of color.
Now the world will accept me as the darker brother, and be mortified of judging me based strictly on color and not the true contents of my character. Closing this poem with “I, too, am America,” (18) allows the world to know that I have the same dreams, aspiration, and hopes of the many people that migrated to this country to become citizens. The idea that America stands for the same values and morals that the writer process makes it the great country that it has become. No longer considered an outcast, but treated as an equal brother offered the same opportunities to obtain the American dream regardless of color.