Preview

W. E. B Dubois Analysis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
975 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
W. E. B Dubois Analysis
During the late 1800s, America was growing into a strong nation. The issue of slavery was a controversial topic among the framers of the Union. The northern states opposed slavery while the southern states pushed to expand it through the western territory. The Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for the men of the south. In 1868, W.E.B. DuBois was born in the small community of Great Barrington, Massachusetts (Biographay.com). As an African-American child in a predominately Caucasian town, DuBois flourished despite the discord of prejudice that plagued the nation. It was in Nashville, Tennessee, when he was a freshman in college, the Jim Crow laws made a profound impression upon DuBois. Throughout his lifetime, DuBois succeeded in many …show more content…
DuBois’s second paragraph of the first chapter in The Souls of African-American Folk (1903) is a remarkable execution of the effects of racism pressed upon the African-Americans that embodies perseverance, which is reminiscent …show more content…
The redundant accusations labeling the African-American man a “problem” in society fuels an established inner aggravation within DuBois. This annoyance began to tarnish his heart and mind as a boy in grade school. The “veil” of prejudice by the Caucasian community only solidified DuBois’s perseverance to incapacitate the dismissal of African-American people. Living inside the “veil” is comparable to a bird in a cage. The bird longs to fly freely, however, he is hopelessly trapped inside the cage. DuBois is compelled to “wrest” the “prizes” of opportunity away from the Caucasian society. The assumption that he must fight against the Caucasian people is a valid charge as the Caucasian people caused more conflict among the communities. For example, segregation of the African-American people in schools, public areas, and on buses. As those who objected to the freed man’s liberty continued to commit violent crimes against the African-American people, the walls of the “prison-house” of prejudice became more prevalent in the lives of the African-American people. Naturally, this caused more loathing for the Caucasian man and a commiseration deep down inside DuBois’s soul while he watched his people treated with detestation. The turmoil of suppression and brutality on humankind only reinforced DuBois’s personal crusade to achieve the victory of

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In Chapter 1 of the second paragraph of W.E.B. DuBois’s The Souls of Black Folk, DuBois uses a descriptive style of writing to create a sense of deep spiritual connection with his reader. DuBois incorporated numerous vivid phrases, such as “rollicking boyhood” and “wee wooden schoolhouse” to deliver the reader into the very place and time of an unforgettable event that happened when he was a young child. This event sets the tone of his book as it gives the reader an explanation for the motives behind every decision he made in his lifetime. The words “vast veil” becomes a powerful way to grasp the very essence of DuBois’s feelings toward white people. In a unique application of “the blue sky”, DuBois constructs a vibrant picture of joyful…

    • 164 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “… the Emancipation Proclamation seemed but to broaden and intensify the difficulties; and the War Amendments made the Negro problems of to-day” (11). The Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery, but there was still loopholes to the system which allowed slavery and gave the open window for racism and inequality to still exist. This is because African Americans were never seen to be as an equal to the white man. Dubois also mentioned in one of his essays the importance of educating and training the black man. He spoke on this from a position where he believed that all men should obtain a skill and become educated to break the ongoing cycle of blacks not being educated. He provided statistics to show that African Americans can be successful when it comes to higher learning. “… there were, in the years from 1875 to 1800, 22 Negro graduates from Northern colleges; from 1885 to 1890 there were 43, and from 1895 to 1900, nearly 100 graduates. From Southern Negro colleges there were, in the same three periods, 143, 413, and over 500 graduates” (73-74). He expressed that black people could break the standard of being uneducated and not having the determination to…

    • 703 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    W.E.B DuBois’s “The Souls of Black Folk”, introduces “the veil” and “double-consciousness” as two concepts that describe the typical Black experience in America. The concepts gave a name to the agony that many African-Americans felt but could not express. The concept of “the veil” refers to three things. The 1st veil refers to the dark skin of Blacks, which is a physical distinction from whiteness. The 2nd veil refers to a white person’s ability to clearly see Blacks as real Americans. The 3rd veil refers to Black person’s ability to clearly see themselves outside of the description that White America prescribes for them.…

    • 327 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Dubois lived in the time after slavery was abolished. It was legal to learn how to read and write. Even with the Jim Crown laws separating blacks and whites. Dubois excelled in his studies becoming valedictorian of his senior class. His education navigated his way of life. No matter how he thought, planned, or reviewed any part of advocacy.…

    • 1171 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the early 1900’s both Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois presented a plan for racial justice. While the two plans fought for the same people, their approach, ideologies, and goals differed. Both men were brave to speak out, but overall Du Bois created a plan that was radical and one that represented the African American community well. Du Bois most compelling tool used in his plan for racial justice lies in his word choices. The way he uses metaphors like “the veil” and “double consciousness” to highlight what it was like to have dark skin in that time period allows the reader to empathize with him.…

    • 347 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Washington vs DuBois

    • 565 Words
    • 3 Pages

    On January 1, 1863, the United States’ Negro population was proclaimed “henceforth and forever free” according to President Abraham Lincoln’s establishment of the Emancipation Proclamation. However, years after its release, the Negro population was still mistreated. After the Civil War, white southerners were relentless in establishing themselves as the superior race. The newly implemented Black Codes restricted African Americans' of their new freedom and essentially began a new form of slavery. African Americans experienced violent discrimination and devastating poverty daily. In an attempt to diminish this oppression, two great and well respected leaders of the black community, Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois, offered contrasting approaches. Both methods contributed to the movement; however, one was more appropriate for the time period. Overall, Washington’s philosophy of self help and acceptance of discrimination was the better fit.…

    • 565 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Born as a free individual, W.E.B DuBois was the first African American to receive a Ph.D from Harvard. He opposed Booker T. Washington’s views, and was angered when Booker T. Washington…

    • 254 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    When racism was a huge problem in the U.S in the late 20th century there were two main African American leaders that stepped into play to help control the issues. Even though they were completely opposite both of them made huge changes in the segregation of the United States of America, the names Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Dubois will never be forgotten, As a consequence the rivalry between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois is one well known to scholars and historians of the African American community. This paper compares and contrasts the ideals of Washington and Du Bois and identifies the difference between the two dealing with discrimination.…

    • 1311 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    W.E.B Dubois on the other hand wanted the Negros to be totally dependent on them and not to look to the white man for a handout to work hard and earn everything when there isn't a way to make one. He wanted them to go to school and get an…

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, was born the only child on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts to Alfred and Mary Silvina. Du Bois was an African American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, author and editor (Wikipedia.com). He was raised in a diverse community with his mother, but without his father. Earlier in his life DuBois was given enlightenment of his African roots by learning through the ancient songs his grandmother taught him. This difference would be the foundation for his desire to change the way African- Americans coexisted in America.…

    • 815 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The late 1800s and early 1900s found the United States in the midst of a dramatic shift. Not only was race-based discrimination the Consensus theory among whites, it was also legally enforced. Institutionalized racism left African Americans without citizenship, voting rights, civil liberties, and access to higher education. It also left them without justice, due process, and protection. Even though the ownership of humans had been eradicated by the 13th Amendment in 1865, the black community was in no way truly free; racial violence and black-oppression were as high as ever. As the Consensus grew darker and more menacing two major Conflict theorists, Booker T. Washington and William E. Du Bois, fought for equality from two very different angles.…

    • 1400 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Booker T V. Dubois Dbq

    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages

    During the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century there was a social reform taking place within the South. The Civil War had just ended and Lincoln freed the slaves. The slaves were now free to join the others in society, but they still faced many issues, which still made them less superior to all other humans within Southern society. Booker T. and WEB DuBois, two of the strongest leaders of the black during this time, had two very different strategies to deal with discrimination and poverty throughout the South. Booker T's strategies focused more with an educational view while WEB DuBois thought more with a political view. Although both very different views they both made a phenomenal impact on not only southern society, but also on America.…

    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    On the last post, I agreed more with DuBois that education was the answer because it offers people of color a voice with which to firmly oppose the injustices done against them, and education is the key to ultimately gaining success. I argued that Malcolm X’s idea was more radical because of the terminology he used (“liberty or death”, stop singing and start swinging) and because I was told to believe he was a violent, pro-Black advocate. However, after the discussions in class, I changed my mind and am now at the fence. Even after reaching the end of DuBois, I am not leaning to one side in particular on deciding whose idea is more effective for racial progress in America. I think both DuBois and Malcolm X suggest some effective solutions to racial progress because education is needed to start economic stability and to understand the politics of one’s community. I think DuBois is right…

    • 470 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dubois was a critic of his fellow counterpart, Booker T. Washington. Although he respected and praised Washington for his work, he heavy disagreed in the direction that Washington wanted the negro population to head into. Dubois saw problems in Washington’s notions. And spoke of an imaginary veil that was placed on the negro population, and that the white population would always look down to them. Although all negroes were emancipated decades prior, it is this “submissive” act that allowed white politicians to place laws into effect that would keep them away from the voting booth. For the free negro to not protest these Jim Crow laws, is allowing for his freedom to become anything but free. Dubois wrote out in his book that there are three paradoxes to Washington’s theory for racial equality.…

    • 307 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    W.E.B Du Bois advocated for the pursuit of a higher education being the main focus for African Americans. However, Booker T Washington supported the idea of vocational institutions and the practicality of job/skill training. More often than not, individuals who decide to go to trade schools instead of pursing careers that require a higher education are looked down upon. They're seen as "taking the easy way out," if you will. But that is simply not the case. This argument can go two ways. One is that many people, African Americans especially in this day and age often do not have access to opportunities that allow them to even attempt to "better themselves" with a higher education (B.A./B.S. or PhD/MD). It is because of this that they are forced into the vocational training route.…

    • 322 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays