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*backround info: the poet is african american

I, Too (by L. Hughes)

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.

Tommarow,
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

2007-05-01 08:49:10 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference Other - Education

I personally think "I" is symbolic for not only black people, but people of color. By he saying he is the darker brother, he is referring to america as a family. And he is being told to eat in the kitchen when company comes because his family (america) doesnt want there company to know hes in the family. So they hide him. In other words, America didnt want the person of color to be included in the image of what an american is so they hid them (out of magazines, out of tv, out of movies, etc).
Hes saying one day I will be at the table, in other words, one day ill be included in the image of what an american is because theyll see how beautiful I am.

I think its a really beautiful and deep poem.

2007-05-01 09:16:09 · update #1

5 answers

When I read the first part, I thought it was a poem about a man in the days of slavery. Then, upon reading further, it seemed the journey of a people, not a single man. It's a beautiful poem.

2007-05-01 08:59:52 · answer #1 · answered by yowhatdoyouwant 4 · 0 0

Its a poem about underlying racism and how black people are american we had a major part in building this country and people who seem to think that they are better than another race just because of their color are silly and unintelligent.... or at least thats what I get out of it.

2007-05-01 15:55:31 · answer #2 · answered by Damien H 2 · 0 0

it means that no matter your race, in this case african american, you are just as american as anyone else who lives here, and it is about the forecasting of desegregation, ie. soon, in the future, they won't be able to tell him they can't all eat at the same table anymore (symbolic for everyone having the same rights).

2007-05-01 15:57:24 · answer #3 · answered by KJC 7 · 0 0

You don't really need anyone to tell you what this poem means, do you?

Besides, your teacher wants to know what YOU think this poem means - :)

2007-05-01 15:54:48 · answer #4 · answered by Zebra 4 · 0 0

not sure

2007-05-01 15:57:08 · answer #5 · answered by madaloopa 1 · 0 0

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