WEB DuBois's Affects on Literature and People
"Has been a lifesaver so many times!"
- Catherine Rampell, student @ University of Washington
"Exactly the help I needed."
- Jennifer Hawes, student @ San Jose State
"The best place for brainstorming ideas."
- Michael Majchrowicz, student @ University of Kentucky
WEB DuBois\'s Affects on Literature and People
1 December 1998
In his work The Souls of Black Folk, WEB DuBois had described the life and problems that blacks in America was not easy. DuBois had a very different plan in the struggle for black equality and the struggle for the abolishment of racism than other people that wanted a "separate black nation" and others that just wanted the blacks to stay submissive. DuBois only wanted blacks to work hard to become active parts of American society. Through his writings, speaking, and political activism, WEB DuBois devoted his
life to advancing black movement to a higher level.
DuBois always practiced what he preached. His speeches influenced many, and always used the pen as his mightiest weapon. He used it to encourage blacks to be proud and have pride in everything they have accomplished. DuBois had used the pen to encourage blacks to fight for the rights that they have had been denied.
It has not been our fault. Rather we have been the blamed and blamed ourselves for this lack of "economic progress", as it is called. We are rather ashamed that we have not developed more millionaires and more big business. (Paschal 154)
DuBois believed that assimilation was the best means of treating discrimination against blacks in the 1920\'s. Education was a key to a diverse and cultural society. DuBois being a well-respected intellectual and leader, worked to reach goals of education and peaceful resolutions between the races and classes.
DuBois felt that the black leadership, of Booker T. Washington, was too submissive. Washington wanted black to try and get along with society "trying to fit in". He was encouraging blacks to become educated in the "white man\'s world". He tried to get blacks into working in agriculture helping with industry and, to accepting that they get a second class status in American society. DuBois felt that Washington\'s plan would cause blacks to give up.
While DuBois respected Booker T. Washington and his accomplishments, he felt that blacks needed political power to protect what they had and what they earned. DuBois called for a new plan of action. He felt that the greatest enemy of blacks was not necessarily whites but it was the ignorance of the whites concerning the capabilities of the black race. DuBois\'s answer was to encourage the development of black youth in America so that they understand why racism started. The most talented of the youth should be educated to be leaders.
Some people seem to think that the fight against segregation consists merely of one damned protest after another. That the technique is to protest and wail and protest again, and to keep this thing up until the gates of the public opinion are opened and the walls of segregation fall down. (Paschal 144).
A lot of blacks suffered in the 1930\'s during the affects of the Great Depression. At the time DuBois was bringing blacks together in what was called " voluntary segregation", that is, blacks making up their own organizations and working together. Only at that time he said that if they would be free of dependence on interference from whites. Now the movement adopted this idea as part of philosophy (Shaub111).
Thought DuBois\'s own thoughts and speeches he always had a strong belief that
one day blacks will be among whites in the same standard level as if they were equal.
The responsibility for their own social regeneration ought to be placed largely upon the shoulder of the Negro people. But such responsibility must carry with it a grant of power is a mockery and a farce. If, therefore, the American people are sincerely anxious that the Negro shall put forth his best efforts to help himself, they must see to it that he is not deprived of the freedom and power to strive....(Shaub104).
This would mean a social power and the growth of energy among Negroes, the spread of the independent thought, and making manhood larger for all. These ideas are feared because of a plan to empower millions of minorities raised.
DuBois was in an environment of very little racism. It was not until he was older attending a university that he encountered discrimination when he was not accepted because of the color of his skin. Then he tried to
View Full Essay
Movements for civil rights, Reconstruction Era, The United States, University of Massachusetts Amherst, W. E. B. Du Bois, Wilberforce University, African-American Civil Rights Movement, Booker T. Washington, The Souls of Black Folk, Dubois, Atlanta Sociological Laboratory
More Free Essays Like This