I, Too
Langston Hughes, 1925
Langston Hughes's poem of a Black man sent to eat in the kitchen when company comes, who declares that he, too, sings America.
I am the darker brother.They send me to eat in the kitchenWhen company comes,But I laugh,And eat well,And grow strong.
Tomorrow,I’ll sit at the tableWhen company comes.Nobody’ll dareSay to me,“Eat in the kitchen,”Then.
Besides,They’ll see how beautiful I amAnd be ashamed,—