Evaluation of Langston Hughes I, Too Sing America “Born in 1902 in Joplin, Missouri, Langston Hughes grew up mainly in Lawrence, Kansas, but also lived in Illinois, Ohio, and Mexico” (Rampersad p.1). Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist and playwright. He was one of the earliest innovators of the literary art form called jazz poetry. Hughes was introduced to poetry during his highschool years. One of his teachers at the time showed him work from 2 notorious poets Carl Sandburg and Walt Whitman and this changed his whole life. Hughes was a very successful poet and a very inspirational man. He wrote many poems and novels that still have great meaning to our society today. Before Hughes published anything he traveled the world not by choice but by work he was a cabin boy on boat. While away Hughes gained …show more content…
Normally when we see text about race or the color of one’s skin there is a tone of anger or hate toward another race. With this poem the speaker has not only made the poem about race but has given the poem a very calm and peaceful tone. In the middle of the poem Hughes makes the statement “Tomorrow,/ I’ll sit at the table/ When company comes /Nobody’ll dare/ Say to me,/”Eat in the kitchen,” (Lines 8-13). This is very powerful because the speaker is going to do something that is not allowed because of the color of his skin. This does not stop the individual though because it seems they are more concerned with making a change than anything else. This poem has a certain flow to it that adds to the overall tone and theme. The poem starts in a place of describing oneself and moving forward to a place of confidence and empowerment to finally a point of self love. This could be connected to the time period, how Racism and segregation were alive and well for a long time but slowly made their ways out of our