Themes: The Duality of the Black American Experience
Du Bois returns repeatedly in this book to the idea of the Black American experience as an inherently conflicted one: to be Black and, at the same time, American is to struggle with two identities that are continually at war with one another, an internal conflict Du Bois terms "double-consciousness." While to be American is to expect freedom and liberation, to be Black in America is to recognize that freedom is in many ways an illusion. Black Americans do not want to, and should not have to, abandon or conceal their heritage in order to succeed, and yet they are often expected to do so—and yet still encounter difficulties, because even when they abandon their Black heritage and customs, white society will not accept them.
Du Bois notes that the problem of exclusion is one that dogs Black people no matter what they do. The "color-line" keeps Black people from accessing the same opportunities their white friends and neighbors have; at the same time, when Black people do educate themselves, they often feel ostracized from their own communities. Black people develop their own social structures, often based around the church, in order to create a parallel community because they are excluded from white life. However, by doing this, they can be enticed to participate in a segregated approach to society that does not enable Black people's rights to progress, not least because it prevents the sort of mixing between the racial groups that would allow them to understand each other better.
Du Bois's ultimate conclusion seems to be that Black people in America are damned no matter which way they turn. While he hopes there will eventually be an answer that will help the Black and American parts of their identities to work harmoniously together, he does not know what this solution might be.
Expert Q&A
What does W.E.B. DuBois mean by his quote about being an American and a Negro?
"An American, a Negro... two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder."
W.E.B. DuBois's quote about being both an American and a Negro reflects the duality and internal conflict African Americans face. They must navigate and adapt to both black and white cultural expectations, leading to "warring ideals" within them. This dual existence causes anxiety, fear, and a sense of invisibility, as they often have to hide their true selves to fit in and survive in both societies.
What did Dubois mean by "the talented tenth"?
The Talented Tenth (a phrase that pre-dated Du Bois's writings on the subject) refers to the one in ten Black men who are "capable by character and talent to receive ... higher training" and who subsequently acquire a college education which can help them motivate and lead the Black community.
What is the central idea in "Of Our Spiritual Strivings"?
The central idea in "Of Our Spiritual Strivings" in The Souls of Black Folk is that Black people must push forcefully for equal rights and education or their souls will be destroyed.
How does DuBois's "contradiction of double aims" distort African Americans' strengths into weaknesses?
Du Bois's concept of "contradiction of double aims" highlights how African Americans' strengths are distorted into weaknesses through the struggle of "double-consciousness." This internal conflict arises from the need to reconcile being both African and American, which forces individuals to prioritize societal acceptance over authentic self-expression. Consequently, their true strengths are muted as they adapt to meet external expectations, leading to diminished self-realization and perpetuating their socio-economic disadvantages.
Explain the quote from The Souls of Black Folk: "The Nation has not yet found peace from its sins; the freedman has not yet found in freedom his promised land."
Du Bois's quote highlights the ongoing struggle for true freedom and equality for African Americans post-emancipation. Despite the end of slavery, racism and oppression persist, leaving black individuals as "outcasts" in their own nation. The "promised land" of freedom remains unfulfilled due to continued discrimination and violence, such as from the Ku Klux Klan, and the denial of political rights. Du Bois calls for resistance against these injustices to achieve full equality.
What does the final sentence "And the world whistled in his ears" in "Of the Coming of John" by W.E.B DuBois imply about John's fate?
The final sentence "And the world whistled in his ears" in W.E.B. DuBois' story implies ambiguity about John's fate. It suggests that as John faces an imminent threat from a racist mob, the sound of the sea either offers him solace or symbolizes his death. The "whistling" can represent the overwhelming nature of his situation, possibly hinting at his escape into the sea or his acceptance of his fate amid the storm of violence surrounding him.
Why does Du Bois share his personal experiences with racism in "Of Our Spiritual Strivings" and what impact does it have on his argument?
"I held all beyond [the veil] in common contempt, and lived above in it in a region of blue sky and great wandering shadows. That sky was bluest when I could beat my mates at examination-time, or beat them at a foot-race, or even beat their stringy heads. Alas, with the years all this fine contempt began to fade; for the worlds I longed for, and all their dazzling opportunities, were theirs, not mine."
What were Du Bois's predictions about Washington's approach, and does this debate continue today? Who has a greater reputation in U.S. history, Washington or Du Bois?
"But so far as Mr. Washington apologizes for injustice, North or South, does not rightly value the privilege and duty of voting, belittles the emasculating effects of caste distinctions, and opposes the higher training and ambition of our brighter minds, -- so far as he, the South, or the Nation, does this, -- we must unceasingly and firmly oppose them."
Source: W.E.B. Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk: Essays and Sketches. Chicago: A.C. McClurg and Company, 1903.
Du Bois predicted that Washington's conciliatory approach would demoralize African Americans, hindering their progress and equality. This debate persists, focusing on whether African Americans should be conciliatory or confrontational in seeking justice. Historically, Du Bois is seen more favorably due to his advocacy for civil rights, while Washington is often viewed as too accommodating to white power. Today, Du Bois's emphasis on immediate rights and higher education is more widely accepted.
What were W. E. B Du Bois's feelings about being considered a "problem"?
W. E. B. Du Bois felt conflicted about being considered a "problem," as he grappled with the concept throughout his life. He articulated this struggle through the idea of "double consciousness," where African Americans must reconcile their identity as both black and American. Du Bois believed in striving for equality and economic empowerment as essential steps toward achieving social and political equality. His activism challenged segregation and influenced civil rights movements, despite differing views with contemporaries like Booker T. Washington.
Where would Washington and DuBois, based on The Souls of Black Folk, likely stand on affirmative action?
Booker T. Washington, based on his "Atlanta Compromise" views, likely would not have supported affirmative action. He believed that African Americans should focus on economic advancement through vocational and industrial education rather than immediate social and political equality. In contrast, W.E.B. DuBois advocated for equal access to higher education and would have supported affirmative action as a means to achieve racial equality and develop African American leaders. DuBois's stance aligns with his advocacy for forceful pursuit of equality.
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