The poem I, Too was written in the year 1925, leading to a discussion of the historical background. Primarily, one of the most impactful and devastating events that took place around the time of these works was racial segregation, which started approximately around the 19th century and ended in 1964 (Library of Congress, n. d.). Discrimination was another upsetting and definitive feature of that period, as the anti-lynching bill was defeated by the Southern Democratic Senate. Fortunately, there were some actions in the name of progress, for example, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt supporting the anti-lynching cause.
The best way to describe the historical context of the time period is to refer to some of the lines from I, Too. In the final lines, Langston writes “Besides, They will see how beautiful I am and be ashamed, I, too, am America” (Hughes, 15-18). This is a clear reference to the severe anti-black discrimination that was taking place at the time this poem was released. By stating that, the poet wants white Americans of the time to understand that he is just as valid as an American citizen as they are. This is a clear call for equality for people of all backgrounds.
I believe that it is crucial to consider the historical context of literary works. They provide an explanation to some lines or events that some people may not understand without knowing. Moreover, being aware of said context adds strength to some literary works, making some of the quotes and sections more striking than they would have been without the consideration of the events. In the case of Langston Hughes’ poem, the segregation era, lynching and overall racial discrimination that took place at that time, provide the reader with the devastation caused by racism and hate crimes.
Works Cited
Hughes, Langston. I, Too. 1925.
Library of Congress. “The segregation era (1900–1939) – The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A long struggle for freedom | Exhibitions – Library of Congress.” Library of Congress, n. d., Web.