The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B Dubois Essay - 3329 Words

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 ones 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†¦Washingtons 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 BeltShow MoreRelated W.E.B. DuBois The Souls of Black Folk Essay674 Words   |  3 PagesW.E.B. DuBois The Souls of Black Folk W.E.B. DuBois, in The Souls of Black Folk describes the very poignant image of a veil between the blacks and the whites in his society. He constructs the concept of a double-consciousness, wherein a black person has two identities as two completely separate individuals, in order to demonstrate the fallacy of these opinions. J.S. Mill also describes a certain fallacy in his own freedom of thought, a general conception of individuals that allows them toRead MoreThe Souls Of Black Folk By W.E.B Dubois Is About The Development1345 Words   |  6 PagesThe Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B Dubois is about the development of the African American race since slavery. Dubois makes an analysis of what African Americans went through – how they struggled, and despite all the barriers, how they survived. He also includes personal stories of his family and childhood days. The purpose of this analysis was to alert his race that this is what African-Americans need, and not what Booker T. Washing ton was proposing at the time. At their time, the stakes were highRead More W.E.B. DuBoiss Thoughts on Education Essay740 Words   |  3 PagesW.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 â€Å"twoness†, a divided awareness of one’s identity. â€Å"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 themesRead MoreW.E.B Dubois Thoughts on Education Essay762 Words   |  4 PagesW. E. B DuBoiss 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 ones identity. One ever feels his two-ness Ââ€" 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 themesRead MoreThe Souls Of Black Folk780 Words   |  4 Pagesislands of the sea† (W.E.B DuBois). This is part of the theme in the novel The Souls of Black Folk, which is based on an actual story/ autobiography of an African American leader, W.E.B DuBois. The narrator DuBois writes about race relations in the United Sates distributing the color-line. The color-line is the fundamental issue of racial conflict between the blacks and whites. It deals with the inequality and disparity of living in America as an African American. W.E.B DuBois coined the term color-lineRead MoreB. Du Bois928 Words   |  4 Pagesbeen nothing but a nigger.† -W.E.B Dubois On February 23, 1868 in a small town of Great Barrington, Massachusetts one of the greatest leaders in African American history was born. William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, better known as W.E.B. Du Bois is one of the greatest scholar, writer, editor, and civil rights activist. Many civil rights leaders and other important black leaders and role models see W.E.B Du Bois as the father of the Civil Rights Movement. W.E.B Du Bois paved the way for manyRead MoreThe Negro And Signs Of Civilization1188 Words   |  5 Pageswar era. W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington are considered by historians, two of the prominent leaders of the black community in the late 19th and early 20th century who sought inclusion and equality through social and economic progress. While their end goals were the same, the means in which they utilized their platforms and their philosophy on how best to accomplish this varied. Among other accomplishments, DuBois’ efforts in the civil rights agenda to the founding of the NAACP. DuBois advocatedRead MoreJean Booker T. Washington. B. Dubois1358 Words   |  6 PagesChloe Thompson Ms. Webster English III H 5B 5 May 2015 W.E.B DuBois One of the late 19th century and early 20th century’s most prominent black empowerment leaders was W.E.B DuBois. In research it is clear that DuBois was not subtle to one job or career choice. As a civil rights activist, educator, sociologist, historian, writer, editor, scholar, and poet, DuBois contributed to changing American society today. DuBois is mostly remember for his work with the NAACP and his notorious feud with civilRead MoreThe B Dubois s Impact On American Society904 Words   |  4 Pages5B 4 May 2015 W.E.B DuBois One of the late 19th century and early 20th century’s most prominent black empowerment leaders was W.E.B DuBois. In research it is clear that DuBois was not subtle to one job or career choice. His main goal was to improve the lives of African Americans. As a Civil Rights activist, sociologist, educator, historian, writer, editor, poet, and scholar, DuBois contributed to changing American society today. On February 23, 1868, William Edward Burghardt DuBois was born to AlfredRead MoreThe Souls Of Black Folk By. B. Dubois1080 Words   |  5 PagesIn The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois, DuBois argues his point-of-view on racial tensions in the south during and after Reconstruction. DuBois was a key figure African-American historian and civil rights activist in his time leading and defending his fellows African-Americans. One of DuBois’s themes ranges on race relations developed after Reconstruction in the south. DuBois elaborates on the overwhelming divide between the white population and the black population in his chapter about race