Still I Rise By Langston Hughes

Not many people think Invisible, from Invisible Man deals with anxiety and insecurities. However he copes due to the harsh realities blacks face in America. Unlike Invisible, Maya Angelou, an American poet’s,“Still I Rise” poem displays how white oppressors opinions towards the black race is irrelevant to her. She writes “You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise” (Angelou 1.3-1.4). Here, dirt and dust are parallels; the dirt being negative can be turned into a positive, being the dust. In 1978, people of color were not as confident because even though slavery abolished, society would still treat African Americans poorly due to their skin color. However Maya is confident enough to “ rise I rise I rise”(Angelou 2.2-2.4). Maya says ‘I rise’ three times which symbolizes god
Maya and the darker brother in Langston Hughes’s “I, Too (1924)” both know their self worth. The darker brother knows once people realize everyone is the same, the white race will be ashamed the way they treated people. The white race will “see how how beautiful” he is and will “be ashamed” of what America has become (Hughes 1.16- 1.17). However, Invisible never had the opportunity to feel as secure. Invisible goes unnamed because he feels he is nonexistent and that he has no purpose. When recalling his grandfather Invisible thinks “his words caused so much anxiety” (Ellison 16). Also, when talking to Peetie Wheatstraw, Invisible becomes insecure of his southern roots and tries to not be associated with them. While ordering food, the waiter asks invisible if he wanted “Pork chops, grits, hot biscuits” but invisible orders “ orange juice, toast, and coffee” (Ellison 178). Now who wouldn’t want pork chops, grits, and hot biscuits? That’s right, Invisible rejects a hearty meal because he was embarrassed of his origin! The past was harder to adjust to as a black man or woman due to racial