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Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967 / Joplin / Missouri)
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Born in Joplin, Missouri, James Langston Hughes was the great-great-grandson of Charles Henry Langston (brother of John Mercer Langston, the first Bla .. more >>
49 poems of Langston Hughes
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Dinner Guest: Me

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7.2 /10
(77 votes)



  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


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  Comments about this poem (Dinner Guest: Me by Langston Hughes )
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  Angel, From Above  (2/20/2009 12:31:00 PM)

This poem is way too amazing for words! ! ! i am so impressed! ! ! ! i love love love this poem! ! ! i am doing lagston hughes for my prject in school and i could not have picked a better african american! ! !
  Jane Moon  (2/5/2009 10:32:00 AM)

Oh, the awkwardness of having to represent an entire race instead of simply being your own self! How this poem demonstrates the separation and condescension of the host(s) . Can't we all just be friends? Friends talk about things like what they are doing, what is going on, the new show or event or their family - they don't need to discuss the 'race problem' at every opportunity. How well Langston Hughes conveys the lack of genuine friendship in this poem - oh, let's hope we can move on and just be people.
  Sean Andrews  (4/23/2008 10:41:00 PM)

Valid points he makes of white culture in 1965, especially upper-middle class white culture 'park ave', polite, well to do, curious, sympathetic, but still not seeing the point for what it is.
There is a problem, and he personifies himself as that problem. He doesn't care that you are ashamed of being white, he doesn't want you to be ashamed. He appreciates the hospitality and of listening to him, but he is no charity case which the rich sympathetic white culture can now feel gratified to have contributed to helping solve 'the problem.'
The 'solution' is not a meal and a conversation, that's in fact part of the problem having over a simple 'dinner guest' isn't the answer, the 'solution' must come later and with more behind it...
  Emily Zee  (1/1/2007 11:20:00 PM)

another amazing poem from L.H....
  Jeffrey Philip Clegg  (6/25/2005 12:11:00 PM)

This guy is just a flat out riot.
  Jamila Presnell  (3/31/2005 3:59:00 PM)

I have done a report on this poem for English I was given another poem to work on originally but after reading this poem and pleading my case to my teacher I was allowed to switch to this one.

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11/8/2009 7:24:23 AM. #.1# You Are Here: Dinner Guest: Me by Langston Hughes

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