Racism In I, Too, By Langston Hughes

The United States has a dark history of slavery and racism that dates back hundreds of years. In the poem “I, Too”, Langston Hughes is not just speaking for himself, but he is speaking as the voice of all African Americans who are experiencing racism and segregation or have lived through slavery. Through the use of a few literary devices, Langston Hughes gives an indication of hope that although they, the African Americans, are mistreated and unwanted, they are equal to their white counterparts not only as human beings but simply as Americans. In the poem “I, Too”, Langston Hughes represents all African Americans during that time period, who are proud to be called an American and have hope in a racism-free future by using repetition, imagery, and symbolism. …show more content…
From the beginning of the poem, Hughes firmly claims his citizenship when he says, “I, too, sing America” (901). This poem was written in 1926, which is after slavery ended, but still a time when black people were not treated or thought of with any form of dignity or respect. Despite the disrespect that they endured, African Americans still took pride in being an American. In the very last line Hughes repeats, “I, too, am American”, which is a repeat of the first sentence in the poem (902). The reiteration guarantees that the reader does not miss those important words in the poem. This repetition is used to emphasize and keep in the reader’s mind that he, and all other African Americans, is still American regardless of the mistreatment from White