When the italicized voice in the poem asks who is it that "mumbles in the dark?", the answering voice claims many identities: first, the voice claims to be a white person who lives in poverty, one who is "fooled and pushed apart," perhaps victimized by his or her white fellows who isolate and alienate him; second, the voice claims to be a black person who must deal with the racism and prejudice that has existed since slavery; third, the voice claims to be a Native American whose land was stolen by white colonists and oppressors; fourth, the voice claims to be an immigrant who is full of hope but who finds that those with power will always use it to oppress the weak.

Next, the voice claims to be a young man who is "full of strength and hope" but who finds out how difficult it is to make his way in the world where money reigns; sixth, the voice claims to be a farmer, then a worker, then "the Negro" who must act as a "servant" to everyone else because of his skin color. He says that he is all of the people who are "humble, hungry, mean," people who fight for equality and continue to be refused. This is what all of these groups have in common: they are the oppressed, the downtrodden, the underestimated, and unprivileged. He represents everyone who is "still a serf of kings"—figuratively, at least.