Answer: the tone is irony.
Explanation:the tone in this excerpt, seen above, can be identified as ironic. this is because the passage above is using the characteristics by using irony.
Irony: the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
Angelou uses the tone irony all throughout the excerpt, "In cotton-picking time the late afternoons revealed the harshness of Black Southern life, which in the early morning had been softened by nature’s blessing of grogginess, forgetfulness and the soft lamplight." This tone relates to her individual experience and personal perspective because in the excerpt she makes pitty on the harshness of Black Sothern Life. meaning that she doesn't like the life that black people that lived in the south lived, she didn't like it because it was harsh and unfair.