I love Langston Hughes (1902-1967) and his beautiful poetry written during America’s most racist times. Here’s one of my favorite poems.
I, TOO, SING AMERICA
I am the darker brother.
They send me to ear in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I’ll sut 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.