In "The Great Debaters," explain what was hoped to be gained from Professor Tolson's reading to the incoming freshman class?

Tolson's opening line to his students in his freshman
debate class were from Hughes' poem, "I, Too."  The essence of the poem is to challenge
Whitman's assertion made in "I Sing of America."  The poem speaks to a condition of the
denial of voice by social reality.  In reciting this to his students as their opening
into college, the freshman students are made to understand the role that racial identity
and that color play in their consciousness and existence.  Professor Tolson is
deliberate in wanting his students to think and critically reflect about their place in
society as people of color.  Tolson wants them to question this position, seek to change
it, and alter a competing notion of the good.  The poem suggest this, and Tolson's role
as the debate coach provides an excellent opportunity to converge both realities into a
moment that causes his students to ponder and ruminate on what the poem says and how
their own lives reflect it.