Children’s Rhymes

Racism is a central theme in Langston Hughes’ “Children’s Rhymes.” The poem draws attention to race in the first stanza when the speaker announces that they “ain’t sent” (Line 3) the same rights received by “white kids” (Line 2). The emphasis on skin color evokes race, and the poem's author and context lead to the theme of racism in the United States. Americans elect a “President” (Line 5), yet, due to the racism, the speaker believes there aren’t enough unprejudiced voters to elect them or someone with their skin color for the position of President, so the speaker “can’t be President” (Line 5).

The speaker’s inability to one day become the President connects to their lack of freedom. On account of their race, the speaker isn’t “free” (Line 10) to do or become anything they want. The speaker faces limited opportunities. Their Blackness circumscribes their potential. The speaker’s awareness of their oppressed environment “bugs” them (Line 8). They are bothered by the racism, while the white kids remain untroubled by the bigotry since they’re free to do whatever they want. When the poem was published, all the Presidents of America were white, so the white kids could realistically dream of being President.