From the beginning of the poem, Hughes firmly claims his citizenship when he says, “I, too, sing America” (901). This poem was written in 1926, which is after slavery ended, but still a time when black people were not treated or thought of with any form of dignity or respect. Despite the disrespect that they endured, African Americans still took pride in being an American. In the very last line Hughes repeats, “I, too, am American”, which is a repeat of the first sentence in the poem (902). The reiteration guarantees that the reader does not miss those important words in the poem. This repetition is used to emphasize and keep in the reader’s mind that he, and all other African Americans, is still American regardless of the mistreatment from White
From the beginning of the poem, Hughes firmly claims his citizenship when he says, “I, too, sing America” (901). This poem was written in 1926, which is after slavery ended, but still a time when black people were not treated or thought of with any form of dignity or respect. Despite the disrespect that they endured, African Americans still took pride in being an American. In the very last line Hughes repeats, “I, too, am American”, which is a repeat of the first sentence in the poem (902). The reiteration guarantees that the reader does not miss those important words in the poem. This repetition is used to emphasize and keep in the reader’s mind that he, and all other African Americans, is still American regardless of the mistreatment from White