Envisioning an Equal Tomorrow
Living in America as a second class citizen is a reality for many. To go out into the world with constant reminders such as laws, signs, and mistreatment from your fellow Americans, can be a very bleak existence. In Langston Hughes' poem "I, Too, Sing America" and Claude McKay's poem "The White House," the reader is placed into the shoes of two men experiencing racism and discrimination. While both individuals experience disrespect, one handles it with an effortless, positive attitude, envisioning a better tomorrow. While the man in "The White House" poem remains strong, but is clearly harboring a degree of anger and hurt, that one day may boil over. It is completely understandable for anyone who is treated less than human in a country where he was born, a country that his ancestors help build to be bitter. But to not lose sight of the ultimate goal of equality and justice, a person must not hold onto negativity. In a racist and segregated society, one can only survive by keeping their composure, with a clear mind and heart, preparing for the day when this society evolves.
The best way to handle blatant racism and segregation is through education, and not reacting to the mistreatment. In "I, Too, Sing America" and “The White House" both men are clearly strong to be able to endure such racism without exploding. But, both men display different emotions. When Hughes writes "But I laugh, and eat well, and grow strong" (5-8), it is symbolism for making himself a better person for the future. The people in power actually feel satisfaction in getting a reaction from the people they are oppressing. That is why it is best to show that their ignorance doesn't affect him. And instead of letting them get to him, he uses it as motivation. McKay's character "possess the courage and the grace to bear [his] anger proudly and unbent" (3-4). But being excluded and dismissed has clearly affected him, and although he is in control of his anger, the...