"I, Too, Sing America"

The first day of Black History Month coincides with the 100th anniversary of the birth of Langston Hughes.

Langston Hughes was perhaps the most widely published black writer of his era. An important American poet and humorist, he wrote original works in virtually every genre—short stories, novels, essays, plays, children's books, an autobiography, anthologies, translations, criticism, and journalism.

In the following poem, Hughes grapples with themes central to the African American experience—the struggle for freedom and equal opportunity.

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,
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.

Pictured: Richard Benson, born 1943, O Write My Name: American Portraits, Harlem Heroes, photogravure, Smithsonian American Art Museum.