Du Bois, Pratt on Race/Ethnicity
While analyzing and discussing the issues of epistemology, determinism and consciousness in relation to Du Bois’ thoughts on race and ethnicity, an attempt to answer the questions of whether or not these relationships alter or add to the standard philosophical conceptions of the Self and Personhood from the epistemological standpoint of my own gender, ethnic background, and personal identity. Du Bois’ theories on race/ethnicity adjacent to American society still touch base with the minority community today and have a tremendous impact on our lives both individually and collectively.
According to Pratt, race undermines equality. On one side, emphasizing individuality distinguishes one person from the other, but having to recognize race then leaves out the individuality part. Pratt believes that recognition of race runs the risk of becoming identified with racism.
When thinking of race, many attribute the idea with racism, prejudice, violence and dehumanization. Du Bois disagrees with this idea. The problem of the 20th century according to Du Bois was the color-line. But that did not mean the solution was to eliminate the color-line. Du Bois believed that race should be conserved. Du Bois insisted that thinking about race should be a benefit to society. Moreover, he believed that setting aside race would hurt the whole. Du Bois disagreed with those who wished to reduce race to ethnicity.
Du Bois’ notion of race consisted of three main points. First being that race pertained to a physical embodiment. Second, race being attributed to a social history and lastly, an aspiration for the future or common end-goal.
Du Bois thought features that defined race also defined individual identity. Du Bois points to an interesting point concerning double-consciousness, he explains it through the Negro experience by stating that throughout history, the Negro tradition has been lived intermediately through other civilizations. Furthermore, Negroes as a whole were never
According to Pratt, race undermines equality. On one side, emphasizing individuality distinguishes one person from the other, but having to recognize race then leaves out the individuality part. Pratt believes that recognition of race runs the risk of becoming identified with racism.
When thinking of race, many attribute the idea with racism, prejudice, violence and dehumanization. Du Bois disagrees with this idea. The problem of the 20th century according to Du Bois was the color-line. But that did not mean the solution was to eliminate the color-line. Du Bois believed that race should be conserved. Du Bois insisted that thinking about race should be a benefit to society. Moreover, he believed that setting aside race would hurt the whole. Du Bois disagreed with those who wished to reduce race to ethnicity.
Du Bois’ notion of race consisted of three main points. First being that race pertained to a physical embodiment. Second, race being attributed to a social history and lastly, an aspiration for the future or common end-goal.
Du Bois thought features that defined race also defined individual identity. Du Bois points to an interesting point concerning double-consciousness, he explains it through the Negro experience by stating that throughout history, the Negro tradition has been lived intermediately through other civilizations. Furthermore, Negroes as a whole were never
Bibliography: Du Bois, W.E.B. The Souls of Black Folks. 1903. Pratt, Scott L. Race, Education, and Democracy. Rauhut, Nils C. Ultimate Questions: Thinking About Philosophy. 2nd Ed. New York: Pearson Longman, 2007.