“I, Too, Sing America”, by Langston Hughes published 1945 is one of these literary works that address the plight of the Blacks in the United States between 1955 and 1965. Apparently, the Civil Rights Movement in the United States (1955-1965) shows the bravest act to protest against African-American discrimination. By this time, the Blacks experienced discrimination of highest order. For instance, they were not allowed to vote and own property like the Whites (Abel 595). A series of discriminatory acts led the artists, to come up with literary works that addressed their plight. The poem, therefore, presents and challenges the oppressive acts that the Blacks faced.
The poem was written, at a time when the war has just been concluded. The Axis …show more content…
Hughes writes, “…But I laugh, and eat well, and grow strong.” Here, the author uses irony to challenge the social norm of segregating the African-Americans. When he is told to eat from the kitchen, he laughs and eat well and grow strong. The following day, the author is certain that they will be at the table and nobody will dare to send him in the kitchen again. The author finishes the poem by saying, “Besides, they’ll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed.” By use of irony, the author gives a hint on the Civil Rights Movement that occurred between 1955 and 1965. By this time, the Blacks had grown so strong that they opted to rise up against the Whites and demand for their rights. According to the Civil Activists Malcolm X, “Freedom is never given voluntarily by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed.” (Abel 598). Furthermore, the United States experienced the rise of strong civil rights activists such as Martin Luther King Jr, who led the African-Americans in their demand for freedom until the Blacks were at last free. The African-Americans eventually vied for political positions and celebrated President Barrack Obama, the first African-American President to rule the free
The poem was written, at a time when the war has just been concluded. The Axis …show more content…
Hughes writes, “…But I laugh, and eat well, and grow strong.” Here, the author uses irony to challenge the social norm of segregating the African-Americans. When he is told to eat from the kitchen, he laughs and eat well and grow strong. The following day, the author is certain that they will be at the table and nobody will dare to send him in the kitchen again. The author finishes the poem by saying, “Besides, they’ll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed.” By use of irony, the author gives a hint on the Civil Rights Movement that occurred between 1955 and 1965. By this time, the Blacks had grown so strong that they opted to rise up against the Whites and demand for their rights. According to the Civil Activists Malcolm X, “Freedom is never given voluntarily by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed.” (Abel 598). Furthermore, the United States experienced the rise of strong civil rights activists such as Martin Luther King Jr, who led the African-Americans in their demand for freedom until the Blacks were at last free. The African-Americans eventually vied for political positions and celebrated President Barrack Obama, the first African-American President to rule the free