I, Too by Langston Hughes

In the poem "I, Too," Langton Hughes utilizes allusions and tone to foster the inclusion of African Americans in the fabric of American society.

Hughes argues that African Americans have often been excluded from the idealized version of America by alluding to Walt Whitman's poem "I Hear America Singing." Whitman's poem describes a diverse country, filled with people who do different tasks. However, Whitman fails to mention race and the role of African Americans in the building of the United States. In the first line of the poem, Hughes states, on behalf of the rest of the African-American community, "I, too, sing America." The word "too" implies that this is an assertive plea. Hughes is inserting himself in the foundation of America in a statement that is separated from the rest of the poem. This line of free verse rejects the European ideals of rhythm and meter, displaying how African Americans have their own unique identity that is part of the American identity as a whole. Hughes illustrates that the American experience is incomplete without a diversity of cultures.

Furthermore, Hughes reveals the hypocrisy of white Americans through an angry tone. The speaker is told that they must "'Eat in the kitchen'" when there are guests, showing how Americans attempted to suppress the African American culture. However, this is a direct contradiction to the way the speaker introduces themself as the "darker brother," signifying a deeper and more familial connection between black and white communities. This shows how although blacks and whites live in the same country, and therefore are part of the same brotherhood, they are still treated as second-class citizens. In response to segregation and injustice, Hughes responds with anger, stating "Nobody'll dare" disrespect him again. Hughes hopes that in the future, African Americans will be included in American society. He wishes for whites to see how truly beautiful he is.