Web Dubois Essay

Dubois and the Color Line Essay
3.) According to DuBois, "the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line."
Using several representative examples, consider how American writers (of any color) since the Civil
War have addressed this problem.
DuBois's quote, "The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line," tells a great
deal of how Americans in general felt towards segregation –– each side had suspicions about the
goings–ons of the other race. Blacks had a stronger sense of such hesitency because of their history
with Whites, and Whites were generally afraid of anything different than themselves, thus the
enslavement. Hughes, as a writer, dealt with this problem in a way that few had done, and fewer had
done successfully ––...show more content...
This caused many blacks to feel shame for their roots and ancestral past, and a small but powerful
voice in their mind whispered the words that Hughes' called the Racial Mountain: "I want to be
white". Many blacks at the time could not feel anything but shame for their past, and Hughes wanted
the opposing outlook on that scale – to feel pride in being black; to recognize the true beauty within
themselves which is where true being, and true art, can begin to flower and flourish.
DuBois's story "The Veil" shows a concept that is visible on many levels. The veil can be seen as the
literal darker skin of the black people, which is an easy way to identitify any race from any other
race. This physical trait allows for discrimination solely because it is the easiest thing to point out.
The veil also explores the idea of the White's lack of acceptance of Blacks as Americans, let alone
"real" Americans. The veil also covers the notion of the Blacks' inability to see themselves outside of
what America (White Americans) had described them as.
"Then it dawned upon me with a certain suddeness that I was different from the others; or like
[them perhaps] in heart and life and longing, but shut out from their world by a vast veil. I had
thereafter no desire to tear down that veil, to creep through; I held all beyond it in common
contempt, and lived above it
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W.E.B. Dubois: His Vision For Freedom Essay
African Americans during the 1900s lived lives full of uncertainty. They were no longer slaves,
but still looked upon by many as inferior to the white race. However in this period of tension, there
were men who sought to bring their race to new heights. One of these men was W.E.B Du Bois.
Few have influenced the lives of African Americans in such a way as W.E.B Du Bois. The vision he
had for African Americans was one that many found great hope in. He sought for the day that hisrace
for finally have civil equality in every aspect of life. In the time of Du Bois, African Americans
may have been considered free but still lacked many civil liberties, that the whites were easily
granted. One of the biggest civil liberties they lacked was...show more content...
If they spoke out long enough then the whites wold eventually have to change their beliefs and let the
African American people have their voice in politics. Including the right to vote, Du Bois also
hoped that his people would one day be able to achieve equality in education. To Du Bois
"education [was] the development of power and ideal" (Niagara Movement 2). If African
Americans could not reach this they would never be seen in the eyes of the whites as equal. He
wanted his people to been seen as bright and capable. He refused the idea that little black boys
and girls should be trained as nothing more than servants. African Americans deserved to get a
real education yes, "[they were] workers, but work [was] not necessarily education" (Niagara
Movement 2). To Du Bois education meant more than having the skill to work as a laborer it
meant his race would have a brighter future ahead of them. They could take what they had learned
in school and with it would be able to gain jobs, and a relatively satisfying living, they would be
seen as more alike to the whites, they after all had the "right to know, to think, to aspire" (Niagara
Movement 2). Without an education blacks were merely playing into the stereotype they had been
cast. An education could change this they would no longer be seen as criminals. As Du Bois points
out that out of

W.E.B Dubois Thoughts on Education Essay
W. E. B DuBois's thoughts on education
The Souls of Black Folk, written by W.E.B DuBois is a collection of autobiographical and historical
essays containing many themes. DuBois introduced the notion of "twoness", a divided awareness of
one's identity. "One ever feels his two–ness В– an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two
unreconciled stirrings: two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keep it
from being torn asunder" (215). There are many underlying themes in this collection of essays. One
of the themes that DuBois speaks on extensively is education. DuBois stresses the importance of
education amongst the black race. He believes that African Americans should be educated in order to
guide and...show more content...
The dominant white male of the story speaks the following statement, "Now I like the colored
people, and sympathize with all this reasonable aspirations; but you and I both know, John, that in
this country the Negro must remain subordinate and can never expect to be equal of white men"
(373). This is a fundamental sentiment that white people in the American society during that time
held on to. In this essay W.E.B DuBois shows how this black man, John, was treated in his
hometown after returning home with a college education. Both blacks and whites reject his new
views. However, to whites the black John represents a devaluing of the college education. If a black
person can have a college degree, then having a college degree must not have value. After this
reaction from society John started to think, "John Jones, you're a natural born fool" (369). This
behavior from society kept the average black person stagnant, and unmotivated. Continuing with the
famous debate between Washington and DuBois, DuBois argues in "The Training of Black Men"
that by training blacks for economic usefulness was not
Smith 3 enough. Using blacks for manual labor without the benefit of education, culture, and ideas
belittled them and suggests that they were less than human. Harmonization of race relations could
only occur between two self–respecting, cultured, educated races, not between a dominant elite and
a forcibly subordinated,

web dubois
February 4, 2014
Sociology 1000
Chapter 1– In Text Questions
1.How do the perspectives of people from different cultures differ on social issues such as
suicide? How does the psychological perspective view suicide? What is unique about the
sociologist 's perspective? On a social issue such as suicide, cultures differ because many people
feel this is a personal problem whereas others feel that this can be a public issue. If a person
commits suicide, it may have been as a result of his or her personal problems. In a larger society,
this suicide is a public issue because the person who committed suicide is not the only one that may
be affected. Sociologist Emile Durkheim perspective of suicide was that the issue was related to
...show more content...
Marx stressed that history is a continuous clash between conflicting ideas and forces. He believed
that conflict is necessary in order to produce social change and a better society. Ax Weber said that
sociology should be value free and people should become more aware of how others see the world.
Marx and Max Weber shared the similarities that exist was that they both felt like sociology should
be studied but in different ways. They both studied on social change in society and agreed on the
idea of the economy causing class conflict.
7.What role did Auguste Comte play in the development of sociology? Why did Harriet
Martineau receive little recognition in the field of sociology for many years? Auguste Comte
played a role in the development of society. He is considered the founder of sociology by his
theory that societies contain social statics and social dynamics. He unlocked secrets of society. He
was praised for his advocacy of sociology and insights. Harriet Martineau received little recognition
in the field of sociology for many years due to the fact that she was a woman in a make–dominated
discipline and society.
8.What is class conflict? Describe aspects of class conflict that exist in the United States today.
Class conflict is the struggle between the capitalist class and the working class. Some aspects of
class conflict that still exist today is deaths from poverty, starvation, illness, or unsafe working
conditions.

W. E. B. Dubois Returning Soldiers Analysis
W.E.B. Du Bois Returning Soldiers William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) Du Bois was an American
civil rights activist, a scholar, poet, agitator, pan–Africanism and NAACP co–founder. He was a
college student and been through racism and decided to take a stand. The National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was formed in February 1909. He wrote "Returning
Soldiers" as an editorial of Crisis magazine. The racism still occurs, more than that the equal among
black and white during that period does not happened. In the article "Returning Soldiers" were about
African–American help France against Germany for America. Du Bois sees World War I as
something that African–American worth fighting for. He wants the soldiers to experience

W.E.B. DuBois's Thoughts on Education Essay
W.E.B. DuBois's Thoughts on Education
The Souls of Black Folk, written by W.E.B DuBois is a collection of autobiographical and historical
essays containing many themes. DuBois introduced the notion of "twoness", a divided awareness of
one's identity. "One ever feels his two–ness – an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two
unreconciled stirrings: two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keep it
from being torn asunder" (215). There are many underlying themes in this collection of essays. One
of the themes that DuBois speaks on extensively is education.
DuBois stresses the importance of education amongst the black race. He believes that African
Americans should be educated in order to guide...show more content...
Washington believes that blacks, starting with so little, would have to begin at the bottom and work
up gradually to achieve positions of power and responsibility. DuBois understands Washington's
program, but believes that this is not the solution. DuBois shows opposition to Washington's
approach, not his intent.
In the fictional story, "Of the Coming of John", DuBois rebukes Washington's ideas of subordination
to whites in order to obtain support for black education. The dominant white male of the story speaks
the following statement, "Now I like the colored people, and sympathize with all this reasonable
aspirations; but you and I both know, John, that in this country the Negro must remain subordinate
and can never expect to be equal of white men" (373). This is a fundamental sentiment that white
people in the American society during that time held on to. In this essay W.E.B DuBois shows how
this black man, John, was treated in his hometown after returning home with a college education.
Both blacks and whites reject his new views. However, to whites the black John represents a
devaluing of the college education. If a black person can have a college degree, then having a
college degree must not have value. After this reaction from society John started to think, "John
Jones, you're a natural born fool" (369). This behavior from society kept the average black person
stagnant, and unmotivated.

W.E.B. Dubois Essay
W.E.B. Dubois The great African American intellectual W.E.B. Dubois was born in the post
–Civil
War era. Being born at this time encouraged him to fight for equal rights for blacks. At this time,
blacks were still suppressed very greatly. Dubois, having had lived in an all black community,
experienced racism first–hand in the North (Donalson, 558). The hardships of the African American
race...show more content...
Then, in 1896 he accepted a job at University of Pennsylvania conducting research on the
Philadelphia slums. His studies led to his book, The Philadelphia Negro. This writing merely
explained crime in black communities. He explained that blacks were not the cause of crime, just a
symptom (Hynes, 12). Dubois had a deep analytical perspective for the black culture as a whole. He
began to teach economics at Atlanta University (Wager, 3). In this time period, Dubois
accomplishments were uncommon for an African American. He had to be tenacious and
goal–oriented to make such accomplishments. In 1903, Dubois published The Soul of Black Folks
(Salty's Stamps, 4). This book illustrates how demeaning it is for blacks to beg for basic rights
that inherently belong to them. This book encouraged him to meet with black scholars whom he
named the "talented tenth." In 1905, he began to meet with these scholars to discuss civil rights
issues (Lewis, 1). These meeting were known as the Niagara Movement (Lewis, 1). After five years
of meeting the NAACP was formed and Dubois was Director of Publicity and Research (Lewis, 1).
In 1919, he sailed to France to be an NAACP observer of the Peace Conference (Lewis, 2). While in
France he decided to form four Pan–African congresses which failed. Dubois did not gain very much
support in his fight for civil rights. He was opposed to the

W. E. B. Dubois Influence On Education
In my opinion, I think W.E.B. Du Bois gave Freedmen the best guidance advice. If the black
community wanted equal rights, they have to fight for it and not wait for freedom from segregation.
Segregation was bound to come to an end with the cruel acts that were happening, such as lynching.
Yet, segregation needed to stop immediately and not fifty years from that time. In addition, Du Bois
did have a high stance on education as well and believed that through education, segregated
Americans could obtain a position in society. Education can be a powerful influence in society. In
the 1800s, education was a rare commodity because of the financial expenses that were involved
with education. However, Booker T. Washington did have a valid point with

WEB Du Bois vs. Booker T. Washington: Who was right? by San Two great leaders of the black
community in the late 19th and 20th century were W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington.
However, they sharply disagreed on strategies for black social and economic progress. Their
opposing philosophies can be found in much of today's discussions over how to end class and
racial injustice, what is the role of black leadership, and what do the 'haves' owe the 'have–nots' in
the black community. W.E.B. DuBois was born on February 23, 1868 in Great Barrington,
Massachusetts. He died August 27, 1963 but not before he was known as a historian,professor
writer, editor, sociologist and my favorite , the radicalist. Du Bois grew up in a single parent home
...show more content...
Washington preached about self–help, separation of the races, and accommodation. He urged blacks
to accept discrimination for the time being and concentrate on elevating themselves through hard
work and material prosperity. Washington believed in education, industrial and farming skills and
themes of patience, owning busineses and thrift. This, he belived, would win the respect of whites
and lead to African Americans being fully accepted as citizens and integrated into all stagesof
society. Washington's thinking was one of accommodation to white oppression. He advised blacks
to trust southern whites and accept the fact of white supremacy. He stressed the interdependence of
blacks and whites in the South, but said they were to remain socially separate: One of Washington's
famous quotes was "In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one
as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress." Up from slaves 1901p.Washington counseled
blacks to remain in the South, obtain a useful education, save their money, work hard, and purchase
property. By doing such things, Washington believed, the Negro could one day be a full fledge
citizen. White Americans were happy with Washington's ideas , and made him the national Negro
leader. Northern whites saw in Washington's a peace formula between the races in the South.

The Life and Writings of W.E.B. DuBois Essay
William Edward Burkhardt DuBois, whom we all know as W.E.B. DuBois; was a novelist,
public speaker, poet, editor, author, leader, teacher, scholar, and romantic. He graduated from
high school at the age of 16, and was selected as the valedictorian, being that he was the only black
in his graduating class of 12. He was orphaned shortly after his graduation and was forced to fund
his own college education. He was a pioneer in black political thoughts and known by many as a
main figure in the history of African–American politics. W.E.B. DuBois attended Fisk University,
where he was awarded a scholarship after he graduated high school. Fisk University was located in
Nashville, Tennessee. While attending this University, this is where he saw...show more content...
He was the first black to receive that type of degree from Harvard University. DuBois' controversial
career as an activist forced him to live and work on both sides of the Mason–Dixon Line. From all of
these experiences, his put his interest in the use of science and used his scholarship toward learning
about the struggles for social justice. DuBois realized that science could be a powerful tool in his
quest to transform society and obtain equality for all African Americans. He then went on to Berlin
where he continued his studies at the University of Berlin. DuBois spent two years in Berlin, where
he became the first African American to graduate with a Ph.D. and finished his dissertation . Before
he became head of the sociology department in Atlanta University, he taught at several universities
before actually settling there. The Philadelphia Negro: A Social Study (1899) was one of his works
during this time period; it was a famous sociological study. DuBois examined the city's African
American population as he made recommendations on a number of things, including school reform.
DuBois stated that the "problem was in my mind a matter of systematic investigation and intelligent
understanding. The world was thinking wrong about race, because it did not know. The ultimate evil
was stupidity" . DuBois knew that with the power of research to reveal the truth, such as natural
laws; that in turn would order up a plan of

The Comet By W. E. B. Du Bois Essay
Equality is a word that possesses many meanings and feelings which encompass centuries of wars
and struggles especially with racism. While it is easy to look back at history and accept the accounts
for misconduct and atrocities, it is vital to reexamine and revise thoughts and actions in order to
prepare for the future. An invisible type of racism that can be revealed with reexamination often
times is institutional racism. The short story, "The Comet" written by W. E. B. Du Bois, is a story set
in a post–apocalyptic world. The story shows that in order to bring down barriers of racism, it
requires a catastrophic event to occur. Another story that focuses on a similar concept of
institutional racism, but uses science fiction as a vehicle is "The Bicentennial Man", written by
Isaac Asimov. In this story, a robot named Andrew suffers through prejudice and racism despite his
many contributions to society. It takes a large sacrifice in order to allow for humans to disregardrace
and to take robots as an equal. Although both stories pull in elements of science fiction, it is clear
that the stories incorporate a dominating theme of not just racism but institutional racism. This paper
will discuss some historical context to the two authors' experiences along with a deeper dive into the
text in regards to institutional racism.
W.E.B. Du Bois was a man with impressive accomplishments and achievements. He was the first
ever African American to earn a PhD from Harvard University and he

The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B Dubois Essay
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B Dubois
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B Dubois is a influential work in African American literature and is
an American classic. In this book Dubois proposes that "the problem of the Twentieth Century is the
problem of the color–line." His concepts of life behind the veil of race and the resulting
"double–consciousness, this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others," have
become touchstones for thinking about race in America. In addition to these lasting concepts, Souls
offers an evaluation of the progress of the races and the possibilities for future progress as the nation
entered the twentieth century.
" The Souls of Black Folk", is a collection of autobiographical and...show more content...
Washington's acceptance of segregation and his emphasis on material progress represent an "old
attitude of adjustment and submission." Du Bois asserts that this policy has damaged African
Americans by contributing to the loss of the vote, the loss of civil status, and the loss of aid for
institutions of higher education. Du Bois insists that "the right to vote," "civic equality," and "the
education of youth according to ability" are essential for African American progress.
Du Bois relates his experiences as a schoolteacher in rural Tennessee, and then he turns his attention
to a critique of American materialism in the rising city of Atlanta where the single–minded attention
to gaining wealth threatens to replace all other considerations. In terms of education, African
Americans should not be taught merely to earn money. Rather, Du Bois argues there should be a
balance between the "standards of lower training" and the "standards of human culture and lofty
ideals of life." In effect, the African American college should train the "Talented Tenth" who can in
turn contribute to lower education and also act as liaisons in improving race relations.
Du Bois returns to an examination of rural African American life with a presentation of Dougherty
County, Georgia as representative of life in the Southern Black Belt. He presents the history and
current conditions of the county. Cotton is still the life–blood of the Black Belt

W. E. B Dubois Summary
How does it feel to be a problem? This is the question asked to W. E. B. Du Bois that truly made
him think about the existence of the black folk. With slavery drawing to a close there was a push
for the establishment of black rights. In the end, the struggle would remain that kept a grip around
the very freedoms they were demanding. The American negro was longing to attain a better and
truer self. What the blacks wanted was simply to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro
and an American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of
opportunity closed roughly in his face. Du Bois learned at early age in elementary school that he
was "different" when a white girl refused to share cards with him. He then

W. E. B. Dubois Opinion Essay
W. E. B. Booker (1868–1963), wrote the book The Souls of Black Folks", which is made up of
essays. The book was published in the early 1900, in which he talked about what the blacks went
through in the early 20th century, and offered his own opinion about everything that happened,
including commenting on the ideas that Booker T. Washington (one of the greatest black leaders
of his time) proposed to the "Negros" to do in order to gain liberation. The difference between T.
Washington and W. E. B Dubois opinion, was that T. Washington wanted the "Negros", to stop or
give up on striving for their political or civil rights while ignoring the criticism and
discrimination. He wanted them to concentrate more on their economic future which he believed
would enable them to get the rights as well as other things they were striving for. Whereas, on the
other side W. E. B. Du Bios wanted the "Negros" to stand up and fight for themselves to earn the
civil and political rights (to be able to vote) believing that as humans and citizens of a country you
deserve all rights and equality. In regards to this also, Du Bios started that you couldn't get a better
economic future without having a good political strength which could be seen in Du Bios Comment:
" He is striving nobly to make Negro...show more content...
Washington told the Negros in his speech in "Atlanta Comprise" (which earned him a lot of favor
in the face of Negros and Whites as well) that they need to engage in useful education (such as
crafting, industrial working and farming skills), then go back to working and making a good
living out of what they learnt, which he believed would earn them full citizenship. On the other
hand, W. E. B. Du Bios wanted them to not only do laboring work but to also engage in even
higher education, which if they do would enable them to be successful, and not only that but receive
full citizenship as well as respect. Which would enable them to work in a better place and earn more

Booker T. Washington vs. W.E.B. Dubois Essay
When it all comes down to it, one of the greatest intellectual battles U.S. history was the legendary
disagreement between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. This intellectual debate sparked
the interest of the Northerners as well as the racist whites that occupied the south. This debate was
simply about how the blacks, who just gained freedom from slavery, should exist in America with
the white majority. Even though Washington and DuBois stood on opposite sides of the fence they
both agreed on one thing, that it was a time for a change in the treatment of African Americans. I
chose his topic to write about because I strongly agree with both of the men's ideas but there is some
things about their views that I don't agree with. Their...show more content...
Washington was often looked at as an "Uncle Tom" because of the things he did, such as advising
blacks to remain in the South and to avoid politics and protest in favor of economic self–help and
industrial education. He eventually became a powerful political boss, friend of white businessmen
like Andrew Carnegie, and advisor of some presidents. Washington publicly accepted without protest
racial segregation and voting discrimination, but secretly financed and directed many court suits
against such proscriptions of civil rights. To Washington his ideas was obvious and clear, by earning
the respect of whites they would either help blacks or deal with their crime against humanity that
will eventually bring them down. To me it is obvious why many whites agreed with Washington and
many blacks disagreed with him. I agree with Washington by not demanding our rights because
making demands would be met with opposition and nothing will be done that is necessary to bring
blacks up to the equality line. On the contrary, I disagree with the way that Washington believed that
blacks should just ignore how whites treated us with violence then turn around and try to earn their
respect. African Americans during this time wasn't trying to hear this because just 3 years before his
speech in Atlanta, 156 blacks were lynched in one year alone. To the blacks of that time, forgetting
that

Who Is W. E. B. Dubois?
William Edward Burkhardt DuBois, whom we all know as W.E.B. DuBois; was a novelist,
public speaker, poet, editor, author, leader, teacher, scholar, and romantic. He graduated from
high school at the age of 16, and was selected as the valedictorian, being that he was the only black
in his graduating class of 12. He was orphaned shortly after his graduation and was forced to fund
his own college education. He was a pioneer in black political thoughts and known by many as a
main figure in the history of African–American politics. W.E.B. DuBois attended Fisk University,
where he was awarded a scholarship after he graduated high school. Fisk University was located in
Nashville, Tennessee. While attending this University, this is where he saw...show more content...
In the years following the founding of the NAACP, DuBois was introduced into controversy as he
joined the Socialists Party. DuBois became a candidate for the United States Senate on the American
Labor (Communist) Party ticket. He also wrote letters, novels, and opinion excerpts as well as
organized the first meeting of the Pan–African Congress, the purpose of the Congress was to
improve the situation of native Africans. DuBois also initiated the concept of the "talented tenth" the
talented tenth was where he called for ten percent of the African American population where he lived
to receive a traditional college education so they could have leadership positions and assume
leadership positions within society and within their communities.
Dr. W. E. B. DuBois was known as an African American hero who truly believed that a person's
vocational calling should be dictated by ability and choice, not by race. DuBois, unlike Booker T.
Washington, not only demanded an immediate change but also drastic change, and was not afraid to
challenge both blacks and whites on social and educational issues to accomplish change because he
knew at that point, something needed to happen now. His strong activism and courage set the stage
for future changes in the African American and White American race relations.
In 1934 DuBois resigned from the NAACP staff in simply because he was not willing to advocate
racial

W.E.B. Du Bois Essay
W.E.B. Du Bois Few men have influenced the lives of African–Americans as much as William
Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) Du Bois is considered more of a history–maker than a
historian(Aptheker, "The Historian"). Dr. Du Bois conducted the initial research on the black
experience in the United States. Civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. have referred to
Du Bois as a father of the Civil Rights Movement. Du Bois conducted the initial research on the
black experience in the United States, and paved the way for the Pan–African and Black Power
movements. This paper will describe his life, work, influence in the black community, and much
publicized civil dispute with another black leader, Booker T. Washington. Du Bois was born
...show
more content...
The same year the dissertation was published, Du Bois began to teach Latin, Greek, German, and
English at Wilberforce University in Ohio. After teaching for several years, Du Bois conducted an
exhaustive study of the social and economic conditions of urban blacks in Philadelphia in 1896
and 1897. The results were published in the Philadelphia Negro (1899). This was the first
sociological text on a black community published in the United States. In 1897 Du Bois moved to
Atlanta University, where he taught economics and history for more than a decade. His most
widely acclaimed work, The Souls of Black Folk (1903) was published during his time in Atlanta.
With The Souls of Black Folk, Du Bois had begun to challenge the leadership of Booker T.
Washington, a fellow educator who was then the most influential and admired black in the United
States. Washington, who had faith in the future of his race in the country, believed that hard work,
patience, and self pride would build their character and eventually earn them their civil rights. This is
evident in Washington's The Future of the American Negro. He shows the "impatient extremists"
within the Negroes of the North whose "ill–considered, incendiary utterances tend to add to the
burdens of our people in the South rather than relieve them." ("Washington," Discovering Authors)
During the Atlanta Exposition, Washington gave a

Web Dubois Case Study Examples
10. Inner emptiness
They feel empty inside and to overcome this, they might look for activity such as overeating, sex,
alcohol, or drugs. These activities are often exaggerated.
11. Depression
Burnout may include depression. In that case, the person is exhausted, hopeless, indifferent, and
believe that there is nothing for them in the future. To them, there is no meaning of life, tupical
depression symptoms arise.

Web Du Bois and Double Consciousness Essay
W.E.B. Du Bois: Double–Consciousness
Ashanti Johnson
SOC101
Lestine Shedrick
October 18, 2011
W.E.B. Du Bois (1968–1963) was a huge contributor to sociology through the eyes and experience of
an African–American scholar (Vissing, 2011). Du Bois was an author, activist and student of Black
sociology. In his 1897 article, Strivings of the Negro People", Du Bois introduced the term
"double–consciousness", a concept I believe to be just as relevant in today's African–American
communities. Double consciousness refers to what Du Bois considered an absence of "true self
consciousness" (Du Bois, 1897) amongst Africans in America. In place of that absence, lies a dual
awareness– awareness of one's self combined with an awareness...show more content...
The continued commercial inclusion of African–American images, language and music, does not
eliminate double–consciousness– it may, in fact, magnify it. The stereotypes and images of Black
people in America have evolved since Du Bois coined his term in 1897, but even the ever–changing
understanding of Black culture leaves most African–Americans trapped in a conflict of who they are
versus who they are believed to be in the eyes of America. On one hand, Africans are credited with
inventing many genres of sound, dance, art and athletic styles. Although there are many
groundbreaking contributions in math, medicine and science, Africans are not "popular" for these
attributes. Because of this, many African–American parents keep their children from concentrating
on such areas of strength as dance, music or sports in order to keep them away from a stereotypical
field of study. Double–consciousness will have a talented athlete fore–go a sports career so that they
are not considered "just another ball player".
When we think of Black Americans being excluded from mainstream American society, we consider
the generations leading to the civil rights movement. Today, our President is an African–American,
so surely this issue is no longer relevant. Racism cannot flourish in contemporary America, right?
According to Merriam Webster's Dictionary, racism is "a belief that some races are by nature
superior to others" and the "discrimination based on such beliefs" (Webster,

WEB Dubois Essay
WEB Du Bois provides a counter argument to the belief in the American dream, however. He argues
that "when sticks and stones and beasts form the sole environment of a people, their attitude is
largely one of determined opposition to and conquest of individuals" (541). Du Bois is arguing that
men become oppressed because of an innate attitude that men possess, that in fact it is not their
qualifications that determine whether or not they are successful, rather it is based on the preconceived

Web Dubois Essay

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Web Dubois Essay