I, Too, Sing America



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

Comments

samuel said…
Thanks for posting this. Just earlier today I happened to read several of Langston Hughes' poems from a college lit book I picked up recently from the free bin at a local used book store. This is the poem that really jumped out at me, and now I find it yet again. Thanks for posting it.
Matt said…
I've always loved this poem. Amazingly fitting, now.

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