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Dinner Guest: Me
By Langston Hughes
I know I am
The Negro Problem
Being wined and dined,
Answering the usual questions
That come to white mind
Which seeks demurely
To Probe in polite way
The why and wherewithal
Of darkness U.S.A.--
Wondering how things got this way
In current democratic night,
Murmuring gently
Over fraises du bois,
"I'm so ashamed of being white."
The lobster is delicious,
The wine divine,
And center of attention
At the damask table, mine.
To be a Problem on
Park Avenue at eight
Is not so bad.
Solutions to the Problem,
Of course, wait.
Langston Hughes was a part of the Harlem Renaissance poetic movement I was deeply moved after reading this poem. I almost didn't write my poem. How dare I compare mere emotionalism to polite prejudice... and the weight of racism, slavery, injustice, the continuous battle to achieve true emancipation? Still, I saw that there is a slight similarity as those who are "well-meaning" are innocently insensitive, sit in a position of priviledge and dole out what they believe is kindness. So, this was written in response...