Later in life, Du Bois became a member of the Communist Party and ultimately left the United States to escape government persecution. Explore his perspectives on race relations during the 1960s and identify parts of this 1907 poem that foreshadow these later beliefs.

Identify a modern song that conveys a similar message to this poem, and discuss both the similarities and differences.

The poem emphasizes the black man's capacity for physical labor, praising "great, gritty, grimy hands." Considering we live in an era dominated by information, do you believe the ability to perform manual labor is still seen as a valuable trait? Why or why not?

Investigate scientific theories regarding the earliest humans, homo erectus, who first emerged on the African continent about 1.7 million years ago.

Du Bois, an esteemed scholar, was the first black man to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University. Look into the story of James Meredith, a black air force veteran whose admission to the University of Mississippi led to violent protests in 1962. Examine the conflict between state and federal lawmakers during that period.