I AM the nigger.
Singer of songs,
Dancer. . .
Softer than fluff of cotton. . .
Harder than dark earth
Roads beaten in the sun
By the bare feet of slaves. . .
Foam of teeth. . . breaking crash of laughter. . .
Red love of the blood of woman,
White love of the tumbling pickaninnies. . .
Lazy love of the banjo thrum. . .
Sweated and driven for the harvest-wage,
Loud laugher with hands like hams,
Fists toughened on the handles,
Smiling the slumber dreams of old jungles,
Crazy as the sun and dew and dripping, heaving life
of the jungle,
Brooding and muttering with memories of shackles:
I am the nigger.
Look at me.
I am the nigger.
Nigger
Analysis, meaning and summary of Carl Sandburg's poem Nigger
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Do you have any comments, criticism, paraphrasis or analysis of this poem that you feel would assist other visitors in understanding the meaning or the theme of this poem by Carl Sandburg better? If accepted, your analysis will be added to this page of American Poems. Together we can build a wealth of information, but it will take some discipline and determination.
This poem is pure genius. If you did not think so, try reading it again. Sandburg’s intelligence is unlimited.
i did a little history on Carl after reading this poem. It turns out that what little he knew and saw of black people, he showed in the poem. He was not unbias. as a reporter he smudged facts in favor of the “system”. However, i feel that in this poem, he is trying to match the name with the steryotype. he cannot understand why these beautiful things are given such an ugly name. he was a man of his time. no to be reveared but not to be hated.
this poem does not segregate the black from all others. It celebrates the people, it does not purposely offend people of diffrent beliefs and it should not be seen as a statement of supperiority.
So once again like many others black queen, you may be black, white, blue or green and find it offensive. But find a reason to be offened other then it’s controversial tilte.
Comming from Australia and livimg in the country I know alot of black people and I’m only 13 so heaps of the kids at school are aboriginals. This poem is moving and I can really relate to what Carl is saying because when you get to know these people as well as I do you see that this poem is egsactially like our natives are “as soft as cotton” Thanx 2 this poem I’m hell into poetry best thing I’ve ever read congrats keep it up
The other comments suggest the reflective quality of this powerful poem. it is a mirror in which we see ourselves.
I never read this poet’s work before happening on this estimable website. I sought out his poem first because of it’s stark title which inevitably catches one’s eye in this day and age. Does anyone remember John Lennon (never thought racist I trust)using the “n” word about his ancestral Irish kith and kin in a song. He used this in context of the hateful original use of the word to link what was also meted out to his own folk in Britain. Sandburg was identifying with not disparaging black people, it is poor judgement if anyone thinks otherwise. This is surely a praiseworthy evocation of the worthiness of all people not to be treated as badly as our ancestors did the slaves of past history. And as a paleface ,or must I say, “white person” I think he touched on a shameful past in a good way in a good poem I hope and know black men and women can appreciate, as illustrated by comments I have read on site. Thanks USA for this opportunity for an old Englishman to contribute. Frank E Gibbard.
This poem is awesome. It really reflects my views.
as a nagger i have only one thing to say….this shisnit is de bomb…”I AM THE NAGGER” …hel yea…this powem is a true resemblance to the physical properties of a nagger…
this poem is not racist and those who disagree would have no clue because that would mean you have no comprehension of what his poem is trying to point out.
yo black queen, i too thought this poem was descriminating against us, but i read so many times that i see what da brothers pointin out. Read it again dawg and ill’s let yous figure it out.
peace.
i liked the poem not only because of the words but i also liked the title!!!!! ROCK ON!!!!!!
Ok. all of you aren’t looking at this the way you should be. By saying “I am the Nigger”, he is saying that since poetry wasn’t accepted so easily as it is today, he says his life is bad. He is not being racist at all but showing respect for slaves and himself.
Personally, I believe he is just putting himself in the shoe’s of a Black man of those days. Because he say’s I AM the Nigger. He didn’t write it to offend, I believe he wrote it for creativity purposes only…
If you think Carl Sandburg is base enough to mire his euphuism just to regard any human with the degradation of a name-branding slur then I would suggest you read “the man with the broken fingers.”
Carl Sandburg was a man who pushed the limits of his time and shoved the absurdities of his generations prejudice and hypocrisy back into the faces of those who chose to limit and belittle the human spirit regardless of race.
You have all put Carl Sandburg on the pedastal he deserves with your shallow comments. He is far beyond us. Read the poem, think, breathe and carry on with your life. Thats what I plan to do now.
The first time I heard this poem it was being recited by a very popular and influential black actor on a documentaty called “The N Word”. When I first heard it I was so moved by the words because it obviously celebrated the beauty of our race and the strength of our people througout hard times. I understand that the word “nigger” can be taken offensively and that people can react without thought but when it comes to written words…it is very obvious to see what the poem was saying. I appreciate the comments after “Black Queen” because it is nice to know that people do study and do understand and not always just react without thought. As a Black Queen I believe she should research before commeting. Open your mind.
Sandburg is actually commenting on the richness of character of the black person….whose ancestors survived the turmoils of slavery. I believe he uses the word “nigger,” purposefully, but not in a derogatory sense. He is saying, “Here I stand, strong of body and character because of my tough life and ancestory, with all the potential to become whatever is humanely possible.” And yet he’s only a “nigger” because to others, only the color of his skin seems to matter and not the pride and strength or dreams he possesses. It’s actually a very striking social commentary. And I strongly disagree with the first comment by “Black Queen,” that any poem should be gotten rid of because it displays rascist or politically incorrect ideas. Poetry is meant to challenge our concepts. It makes me sad that she dismissed it so easily. Especially as a black woman, that she couldn’t see that it celebrated her strength and history. I wonder if she would have seen it differently if she hadn’t known initially that it was written by a white man….if she had thought a black man was the author.
This poem isn’t some racial tool of degradation. Black Queen, what you posted was incredibly ignorant. Sandburg was a sympathizer, not a slave driver. Learn something before you make anymore naive posts.
ok well this poem can be taken the wronge way if you read it the wronge way . this poem was made by a white man yes but that was the way it was. we can’t change the past. this poem doesn’t affend me, yes i’m black but i am not affended. fighting won’t help anything.
just face the truth we WERE NIGGERS but soo long ago. it’s over.
Hey…this poem was not a poem to be published I take it very offensive…not onlly because i am black…because it is a rascist statement in general! wonder if i wrote a poem about His race cough cough! His family needs to get rid of this or the panthers are coming after you!!! black panthers that be! i am black look at me, have you ever seen anything as sexy as we after al we be the queen of all kissing!!! “JUICY LIPS” HOLLA AT CHA QUEEN! 1