"I, Too" by Langston Hughes

The persona of this poem refers to himself as "the darker brother," singing to America about who he is. It sheds some light on the struggle for equality that people endured back in the 60's. To begin, the poet speaks on his oppressed state saying, "They said me to the kitchen when company comes.." He is being ignored and treated as if he doesn't exist, but knows that freedom is eminent. He concludes by declaring, "Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed- I, too, am America." There is an obvious level of poignancy in this piece; there is no boundaries in beauty because beauty is equality.