Today I shared a poem with Sam (my son) by Langston Hughes, the famous black poet, entitled I, Too. Let me share it with ya’ll:

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.

Sam and I had a discussion about this poem. Of course, it is hard for him to comprehend that there was ever a time when people of color were treated in such fashion. Given the fact that his mama is also of darker skin, he was puzzled that people would treat me bad or even consider not thinking that I was beautiful.

In many ways, this is still occurring around the country. There have been a few times that people have discussed “getting a place at the table,” most recently at the Everything Must Change event in the Bronx last weekend. Being invited is progress for sure. But being the ones doing the inviting is even more progress. Because like it or not, I (you), too, are America.