I, Too

Langston Hughes

James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1901–May 22, 1967), was a famous American writer and activist. Born in Missouri, Hughes grew up in the Midwest and later settled in New York City.

The below poem is from his first book of poetry, The Weary Blues. The opening of the poem is a reference to I Hear America Singing, an 1860 poem by Walt Whitman that painted the country in a generally positive light. Hughes brings an entirely different background and perspective.

I, Too

Langston Hughes
The Weary Blues
1926

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.

Study Questions

Is there any rhyme or rhythm?
What is the meaning of "I'll be at the table"?
How does the speaker feel about America? Are they hopeful?

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