“I am the darker brother,” Who Said This

Answer

“I am the darker brother” — Who said this and in what context? [NU: 2019, 21] ★★★

The line “I am the darker brother” is from Langston Hughes’s 1926 poem “I, Too, Sing America.” In this poem, the speaker is a Black American. With this line, he means that he is just another American. He speaks about his place in America. He also speaks about the unfair treatment he receives because of his race.

At the beginning, the speaker says he is just another American, regardless of the color of his skin. He is just a black brother. He loves America and shares the same hope and dream. But he also feels the pain of racial inequality. He calls himself “the darker brother.” Because of his skin color, he is not given respect.

Then, he goes on to speak about the racial injustice he faces. He says that he is sent away to eat in the kitchen when guests come. This shows how Black people are separated and treated as inferior. He sadly says:

“They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes.”

But instead of crying, he laughs, eats well, and grows strong. This part shows his patience, hope, and strength. The speaker looks forward to the future. He says:

“Tomorrow,

I’ll be at the table

When company comes.”

Here, “tomorrow” means a better future when equality will come. At that time, nobody will dare to send him away. Society will have to accept him as equal.

In the end, he says that one day others will see how beautiful he is. They will feel ashamed of their discrimination. He ends with the line: “I, too, am America.” 

Hence, the above mentioned line is spoken by the black speaker of the poem. The line is a statement that he, too, is America. It also shows his pain of facing