I, Too by Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes contributed greatly to the Harlem Renaissance with his many poems. With "I, Too", Hughes spoke his mind freely during a time where African Americans were treated unequally. This poem has a proud and almost rebelling tone to it, especially considering the speaker in the poem is a slave. By reading the poem, I can sense empowerment for the slave, and for the race ultimately. "They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes" (2-3). Clearly, the slave owner looked down upon the slave and would make him eat in the kitchen so as not to be seen by others. This scenario is a great representation of how African Americans were being treated at the time. Hughes felt like they were being treated unfairly and almost like an inferior race that needs to "eat in the kitchen". "But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong" (4-6). Since the speaker is being treated as a lower being, he bides his time and his spirit grows stronger. "I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, 'Eat in the kitchen'" (7-12). The slave formulates a plan to showcase his pride and revolutionize how slaves should be treated. I believe Hughes wrote this poem to attack a problem in society that he wanted change in. When they speaker in the poem decides on a change of pace, it should motivate and inspire people in the real world to do the same and stand up for their rights. "I, Too" may have been a poem that helped many African Americans strive for change and equal rights.