Question

directions: read the poems and answer the questions regarding langston hughes poetry. as always, do your best to include proper grammar and punctuation in your responses.

i, too, sing america

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,
ill be at the table
when company comes.
nobodyll dare
say to me,
\eat in the kitchen,\
then.

besides,
theyll see how beautiful i am
and be ashamed--

i, too, am america.

i, too, sing america - prompt
who is hughes referring to when he says \they\? why do you think that? in your response write at least 100 words. (5 points)

Explanation:

In "I, Too, Sing America", when Hughes says "they", he refers to the white, privileged Americans who enforce racial segregation and discrimination. The context of the poem, set in a time of racial inequality (Jim Crow era), shows the speaker (a Black American) being sent to the kitchen when company comes—implying "they" are the dominant white society that marginalizes Black people. The contrast between the speaker's current subjugation ("send me to eat in the kitchen") and future equality ("I'll be at the table") highlights "they" as the group upholding racial hierarchies, ashamed later of their prejudice as they recognize the speaker's beauty (worth). This aligns with the poem's theme of Black identity and the fight against racial oppression.

Answer:

When Hughes says "they", he refers to the white, privileged Americans who enforce racial segregation and discrimination (e.g., those upholding Jim Crow - era racial hierarchies). The poem’s context of racial inequality is key: the speaker (a Black American) is sent to the kitchen when company comes, showing "they" are the dominant white society marginalizing Black people. The contrast between the speaker’s current subjugation and future equality ("I'll be at the table") and "they" being "ashamed" of their prejudice as they see the speaker’s worth supports this. "They" represent the group upholding racial oppression, and the poem critiques their discrimination while asserting Black identity and eventual recognition.