Waxing Poetic: Langston Hughes Captures the Mood of the Day

Langston Hughes

In all of the excitment and history of the day I was reminded of a poem by Langston Hughes, one of my favorite poets, called, I, Too. This poem very succinctly captures the mood of this historic moment for Black people in America.
I, Too

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.

Langston Hughes

I remember one day when I was in second grade. I was working on  an essay for Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday at my school. I approached my grandfather to ask him for his input. I will never forget his response. He looked downcast and sighed deeply and said, “We have not yet overcome. Not much has changed in this country from the time Dr. King made his famous speech.” I was just a little girl who was shielded from the pain and shame that my grandfather and those of his generation had suffered simply because they were Black in America. I remember well the shame I felt as the only Black child in my classes at a private, Catholic school when we discussed historic events such slavery. It has also been challenging as an adult to explain those events to my daughters.

But now we indeed have something to be proud of. Now I can confidently say to my daughters that we do have hope in America. We as a people have grown up a little bit and we are, step by step beginning to live out the true meaning of our creed, as Dr. King reminded us of the words of our founding fathers that, “. . .all men are created equal.” Grandpa Joe suffers from dementia, so I don’t think he truely understands what has occurred today.

As Barack so eloquently spoke, we are no longer red or blue, but we are Americans. On this day I am proud beyond words to be an American.

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