12 March 2007

I, TOO, SING AMERICA
(by Langston Hughes)




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.
© Langston Hughes

12 voices:

sarala said...

What a brilliant poem. Thanks for posting it.

Thami Mhlanga said...

Beautiful poem, it is sad to be denied your right
"Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America." But also some rejections make you stronger
"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,""Rethabile that is a beautiful poem

Stephen Bess said...

The sad truth is that they're still not ashamed and many of us [African Americans] don't even know the words to the song, America the Beautiful.

magiceye said...

powerfully beautiful

Kai C. said...

i love langton hughes!

one of the greatest african american poets:-]

Pat Paulk said...

I love Hughes poetry. Thanks for posting!!

GeL(Emerald Eyes) said...

Hi R,
I'm familiar with this masterful poem. I still feel so sad (and angry) reading it, knowing how society still is. Change is often in "baby steps."

Still, I retain hope for change. One way to effect change, is waht you are doing: to educate the world: to post poems of truth and/or beauty from talented African Americans or others who write on such topics.

getzapped said...

I love Langston's work. This is beautiful just as he was and his poetry. Nice post!

Robin said...

I have always loved this poem. It is a poem of courage, of knowing your worth as a human being, even in the face of those who discount you. Stand tall, proud of who you are. Reminds me of Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise."

claudia said...

awesome work ont he website, glad villeger turned me on to it. --clau

holly said...

I am so glad you put this on here. It is even more poignant during this time. Truly wonderful to think of the change!

Rethabile said...

holly,
It's a good and appropriate poem. Here's hoping it'll be less and less appropriate.