I Too Sing America by Langston Hughes – Resilient Hope - ThePoemStory

I Too Sing America by Langston Hughes. Langston Hughes’ poem “I, Too, Sing America” is a powerful statement on race, identity, and equality in America. Written during the Harlem Renaissance, it serves as a response to racial discrimination and marginalization. Hughes uses simple but profound language to express the resilience of African Americans, emphasizing their place in the nation’s future. The poem is both a critique of racial injustice and an expression of hope for a more inclusive America.

I hope you have read the poem: Let America be America Again by Langston Hughes

Back to Poets and Poetry Page

Langston Hughes Biography

Poems by Langston Hughes

I Too Sing America Poem

I, Too, Sing America

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.
_{~ I, Too, Sing America (Langston Hughes)}

Line-by-Line Meaning of I Too Sing America

I, Too, Sing America – Stanza 1:

“I, too, sing America.”

The speaker asserts that he is also a part of America, despite racial discrimination. This line echoes Walt Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing,” but Hughes highlights the exclusion of Black Americans from this vision of unity.

I, Too, Sing America – Stanza 2:

“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.”

The “darker brother” refers to African Americans, who are treated as inferior and segregated. The image of being sent to the kitchen represents racial segregation and exclusion from society’s main stage.
However, instead of feeling ashamed, the speaker remains hopeful and confident, using his time in isolation to grow stronger.

I, Too, Sing America – Stanza 3:

“Tomorrow,
I’ll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
“Eat in the kitchen,”
Then.”

The word “tomorrow” symbolizes the future, where equality will be realized. The speaker envisions a time when African Americans will have their rightful place at the table, signifying full participation in American society.
“Nobody’ll dare” suggests a shift in power, where discrimination will no longer be tolerated.

I, Too, Sing America – Stanza 4:

“Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed—”

The speaker believes that once society truly recognizes the value and beauty of African Americans, it will feel shame for its past discrimination.

I, Too Sing, America – Final Line:

“I, too, am America.”

This final declaration reinforces the speaker’s identity as an integral part of the nation. It is a statement of inclusion, resilience, and an unbreakable connection to the country’s future.

Back to Poets and Poetry Page

Langston Hughes Biography

Poems by Langston Hughes

I Too Sing America Synopsis

“I, Too, Sing America” is a poem about racial inequality and the hope for a better future. The speaker, representing African Americans, acknowledges the discrimination they face but remains confident that change is coming. He envisions a future where they are no longer marginalized but fully accepted and respected in society. The poem ends with a powerful affirmation that African Americans are just as much a part of America as anyone else.

I Too Sing America Summary

Langston Hughes’ “I, Too, Sing America” is a poignant reflection on racial discrimination and the fight for equality. The poem uses the metaphor of being sent to the kitchen to illustrate segregation, but the speaker remains hopeful and determined. He believes that in the future, African Americans will have an equal place in society, and those who once oppressed them will feel ashamed. The poem concludes with a bold declaration of belonging, emphasizing that Black Americans are an essential part of the nation.