After approaching the "Harlem Branch Y," and returning to his apartment, the speaker begins his paper. He reflects on his life as an average twenty-two year old student. He begins to ignore race and tries to focus on his individuality. He likes "a pipe for a Christmas present or records-Bessie, bop, or Bach." This sentence provides a perfect example of alliteration. Keeping in mind to "let that page come out of you--/Then, it will be true", the speaker is honest with himself and tries not to hide behind the "white" page. He identifies with his culture and lets the reader "see and hear, Harlem". This poem shows the speaker's "true" feelings towards society, how some white people "don't want to be a part of me". He reflects on the present state of blacks in America, racism, and most importantly the oppression he feels as a black student stating that "white" people are "somewhat more free". I believe Hughes wrote this poem as a protest against racism. Through his speaker, Hughes desperately pleads with his readers to strive for a unified America free of racism.
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