It has not always been a voluntary journey
In 1619 , one year before the Mayflower carried the Pilgrims to freedom in Plymouth , a Dutch ship delivered North America ’ s first Africans to slavery in Jamestown . By 1790 , America ’ s first census recorded 697,624 African slaves , nearly 20 percent of the population . By 1860 , the number reached almost 4 million .
The specter of slavery continues to haunt America to this day . Let us read the words of African-American poet Langston Hughes , the great grandson of slaves :
I , Too , Sing America Langston Hughes
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 .
FOR DISCUSSION : 1 . What does eating in the kitchen represent in this poem ?
2 . How does the poem envision a better future for African-Americans in America ?
3 . How has this past year changed the dialogue in America about race ?
4 . What should our next steps be in our journey to create a more just and equitable society ?
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