Consider the ways in which this poem relates to the concept of “the melting pot” (a myth) and assimilation in the United States. Ponder ways in which this frames “Black Reality” for those in the United States. This poem was written in 1968, but has anything really changed?

“The Melting Pot”
By: Dudley Randall (1914-2000)

There is a magic melting pot
where any girl or man
can step in Czech or Greek or Scot,
step out American.

Johann and Jan and Jean and Juan
Giovanni and Ivan
step in and then step out again
all freshly christened John.

Sam, watching, said, “Why, I was here
even before they came,”
and stepped in, too, but was tossed out
before he passed the brim.

And every time Sam tried that pot
they threw him out again.
“Keep out. This is our private pot.
We don’t want your black stain.”

At last, thrown out a thousand times,
Sam said,”I don’t give a damn.
Shove your old pot. You can like it or not,
but I’ll just be what I am.”