I Too Sing America

In Langston Hughes poem “I, Too, Sing America” the author gracefully speaks through the eyes of a dark skinned man living in 20th century United States. Readers are taken back to a time before African Americans were seen as equal in America. Hughes poem represents what millions of African Americans felt when they were personally discriminated against, simply because the color of their skin. Although the speaker is being treated unequally, he loves and believes in America, repeating the phrase “I, Too, Sing America” which begs the question; what does this actually mean? The poem beings with the most powerful message of the poem, “I, too, sing America” where readers are first exposed to how powerful the repetition of this line can be. The line can be interpreted as a metaphor for the national anthem, a solemn patriotic song used as a mean of expression and national identity. The speaker yearns for the day where he too can be united as one, no matter what color skin. He wants to spread his deep love for the country and the patriotism he has, crushing intolerance and racism. One could also argue that “I, too, sing America” is a play on words where the speaker no longer wants to hide in the …show more content…
Although the actual setting and timeframe are unclear, readers automatically infer that the poem is set in a time when African Americans were routinely discriminated against, and couldn't use the same facilities that white Americans could. One could also infer that the speaker is a slave or low wage house worker that was owned or employed by a wealthy family. A family that has a beautiful estate, with a gorgeous dining room where countless influential people gather. “They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes” is symbolic where African Americans were often treated as second class citizens, treated with disrespect. America is a family and we should all treat each other like