I, Too, Sing America
by: Langston Hughes

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.

After I, Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes

I, too, sing America

I am the gap between Lady Liberty’s thighs.
They send me to Armagh
When company comes,
But I write,
And question,
And am changed.

Tomorrow,
I’ll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
“Not today,”
Then.

Besides,
They’ll listen to my acceptance of them
And be ashamed-

I, too, am America.

I am not particularly patriotic; I want to live in England. However, I am American whether I choose to be or not. This is almost an imposed identity; I don’t claim “American-ness” and hope I don’t emanate the nationality while abroad. “American-ness” encompasses an ignorance of current events and a mythical consumer-centric way of living with a sense of entitlement. I think this is why many elect to describe themselves with “American” tacked on to their original country of origin.