Langston Hughes I, Too, Sing America

Imagine this: You are an African American living in the South in 1925. At the time, you were separate and unwanted in most parts of town. You and your race was separated at schools, theaters, taverns, waiting rooms, and other public places. Everywhere you look, you see signs like “Whites only”, and “Blacks in the back.” You’ve been treated this way all your life, and are unsure what will happen in the future, but you’ve narrowed it down to two choices. Will the oppression remain for your children and grandchildren? Or will it be diminish as you stand tall, always knowing that you matter? Although oppression was very relevant ninety years ago, it is a minor problem we struggle with today. This easy to see, yet hard to change concept of oppression and segregation …show more content…
Langston Hughes, the poet of “I, Too, Sing America,” was the first African American to earn a living as a writer. He, as well as the speaker of this poem, experienced segregation in everyday life because of the color of their skin. Hughes explores this topic in a way that conveys the meaning of replacing those thoughts of doubt and darkness with thoughts of hope, positivity, and optimism. The first noticeable aspect of ”I, Too, Sing America” is the title itself, which also happens to be the opening line. The use of “I” shows that not only whites are americans, but colored are as well, and should be treated as equals. The sing America part is the way the speaker demonstrates that he and many African Americans like him sing the national anthem and have every right to the freedom it represents. Singing also represents their voice in this nation which shows his feeling of patriotism toward his country. In the second stanza, Hughes refers to the black man metaphorically as “I am the darker brother” to explain that he may be different, but still part