Book Notes: THE SOULS OF BLACK FOLK, W.E.B. Du Bois (1903)
Bethany Tue, 06/21/2011 - 09:54
“Of Our Spiritual Strivings”: Du Bois’s famous concept of “double-consciousness”—a “sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, […]. One ever feels his twoness,—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” (45). Segue to a history of things to which Du Bois says black Americans have looked as their avenue towards true freedom and equality: emancipation, voting rights, education, work, and culture. (He goes on to use this list as a rough outline for the rest of the book.) All are necessary, argues Du Bois, but ultimately black Americans need to be confident and proud in their blackness and let that pride infuse their efforts in these other things.
“Of the Dawn of Freedom”: “The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color-line,” (54). With these words Du Bois both begins and ends the chapter. The chapter itself focuses on 1861-72, particularly the failed Freedmen’s Bureau.
“Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others”: The rather public dispute between Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. Washington pushed for black people to better themselves through hard work, right living, and education, with the idea that ultimately they would earn the respect of white people and be granted equal footing in society. Du Bois agreed to some extent, but thought white people should also accept more responsibility for the plight of black Americans. He favored more active and aggressive approaches to gaining equality than Washington did.
“Of the Meaning of Progress”: Du Bois’s experience teaching school for a poor black community in rural Tennessee. He explains how the extreme poverty made it practically impossible for his students to stay in school, much less excel.
“Of the Wings of Atalanta”: Atlanta as the icon of the black South. According to Du Bois, black Americans risk being drawn away from the path of cultural progress by materialism and industrialization, just as Greek mythological figure Atalanta fell victim to golden apples. His solution is to urge support of Southern black universities (such as the one in Atlanta).
“Of the Training of Black Men”: Why Du Bois sees universities as the salvation of young black men in the South.
“Of the Black Belt”: Economic inequality in Georgia’s Dougherty County.
“Of the Quest of the Golden Fleece”: More about inequality/injustice in Dougherty County.
“Of the Sons of Master and Man”: Black-white relations in a variety of contexts. Public schools as crucial sites of interracial contact in the fight against racial prejudice.
“Of the Faith of the Fathers”: The hegemony of the Church in Southern black society.
“Of the Passing of the First-Born”: Du Bois’s tragic realization that he thought his infant son was better off dead than having to deal with the racism Du Bois himself experienced.
“Of Alexander Crummell”: In praise of Crummell, an important black religious leader.
“Of the Coming of John”: A white boy and a black boy go away to school. They return, but the black boy can no longer tolerate his subservient position. Tragic consequences.
“Of the Sorrow Songs”: Evolution of the sorrow songs into what the world came to identify as “American” music. Pride in black contributions to American culture.
Du Bois, W. E. B. The Souls of Black Folk.1903. Introd. Randall Kenan. New York: Signet-Penguin, 1995. Print.