Themes and message

The main themes of the poem “I, Too” by Langston Hughes are discrimination, patriotism, and equality. Though the text seems very simple, the poet brings a critique to white society in the US which considers African-Americans inferior and an appeal to the black population to become aware of their value in society and fight for their rightful place.   

Discrimination

The theme of discrimination is explored in the poem from the perspective of an African-American living in the US during the 1920s (given that the poem was originally published in 1926). In the poem, the speaker is well aware that he is discriminated as he metaphorically describes being sent to eat in the kitchen when guests come (ll. 3-4), implying that those who send him there do not think he is worthy enough to be seen by the guests. However, the speaker is n...