They, Too
after I, Too by Langston Hughes
They, too, sing America.
Our brothers with slightly darker skin,
who built the table, and all our sisters,
who cook our suppers, they deserve their place
beside us and not to be confined to the kitchen
or the bedroom.
Despite what we see on television
or the rabid internet, there are plenty
of seats and they’ve earned their spot
with sweat and blood. They are so beautiful
and I am so ashamed—
They, too, are America.
About Bartholomew Barker
Bartholomew Barker is an organizer of Living Poetry, a collection of poets in the Triangle region of North Carolina where he has hosted a monthly feedback workshop for more than decade. His first poetry collection, Wednesday Night Regular, written in and about strip clubs, was published in 2013. His second, Milkshakes and Chilidogs, a chapbook of food inspired poetry was served in 2017. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he lives and writes poetry.
Bartholomew Barker, Poet 
Indeed there are plenty of seats at the table..
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And everybody’s welcome, at least as far as we’re concerned.
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” there are plenty
of seats and they’ve earned their spot
with sweat and blood.”
I teared up reading this, Bart.
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Wow. I’m honored that my words provoked a physical reaction. Thank you, Tre.
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Uniting and sharing at the table is just natural and right.
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Agreed.
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They – we – are the world.
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Agreed. We’re all in this together.
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I love this.
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Glad this resonated with you. Thanks!
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Beautiful and wise sharing!👍🌸 I, however, sometimes wonder why there’s no one advocates for the rights of Asian Americans😅. It sometimes breaks my heart to see my Asian fellows suffering on this land so silently….
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Indeed. While there are a few advocates for Asian-American rights, they certainly don’t get much attention in the media.
I was just listening to an interview with Helen Zia about the 40th anniversary of Vincent Chin’s murder in Detroit.
https://fair.org/home/helen-zia-on-vincent-chin-murder-alec-karakatsanis-on-chesa-boudin-recall/
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Oh thank you for sharing the link🥂 and I hardly know how to feel… My Asian-American friends would often describe themselves as “ inconvenient minority” in the US. I feel sorry for those who lost the protection of their home country and abused in their adopted country. What a shame life put them through….
This world needs more compassion and understanding. 🙏
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Very true. The U. S. is better in some ways, worse in others, just like every other country. I hope you haven’t personally suffered here in the States for being Asian.
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Oh no, the US is not just like every other country. It’s a great one despite some issues. And more often than not, those who suffer having their own issues.
And no, I never have suffered in any country than that of my very own 😂😂 . Not because of being Asian but being bull-headed, lol
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Glad you haven’t had any problems here. Good luck in Cali!
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Surely and thank you!😉
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