Langston Hughes is an African American writer and a social activist. His writing spoke for a population of people in America during the oppression of African Americans. He challenged the norm and spoke out against unfairness and corruption. His community of African American peers wasn't given the respect and equality that they deserved, so he stood up for them. He used his own personal experience to create a tone that pointed out what was wrong from the standpoint of a fellow African American. This is what gave him his name. This is what people remember Langston Hughes for. Through his writing, he developed his identity. His identity stood for his own individualism as well as the face of the entire African American community. Identity becomes a pronounced theme throughout his writing. Hughes piece, "I Too," is a perfect example of identity as a theme. .
"I Too" is a famous poem of Langston Hughes, which is very short and to the point. This poem tells the story of an African slave who is told to eat separately from a white family when company is over. The lines read, "I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes" (Hughes 2-4). This is a perfect example of a struggle shared by African Americans of this time period. The lines, "But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong" show that the speaker is upset by this command, but he is still strong and doesn't let it break his spirit (Hughes 5-7). Then the speaker says,.
"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- (Hughes 8-17).".
This is the speaker standing up against what the white family thinks about him and his people. The speaker used hate, negativity, and prejudice as motivation to be a better person like Hughes did. One could easily relate the speaker of this poem to Langston Hughes himself.
