Alexandria Clemons
AF-AM 327
9 Oct 2017
Close Reading 1: “The Souls of Black Folks”
W.E.B. DuBois is known to be one of the most prominent scholars of all time. In “The Souls of Black Folks”, DuBois examines the years that immediately follow after the Civil War focusing primarily on the role of reconstruction through the Freedmen's Bureau of 1865. This literary treasure consists of a collection of essays that are categorized by theme and has a poetic style using various metaphors and references of Du Bois's personal and historical context which ultimately represent what it is like to be black in this time period. In this essay I will be analyzing DuBois’s insight on the social implications, political disenfranchisement, religious inducement …show more content…
Booker T. Washington and Others”,helps the reader to better understand DuBois’s campaign on the social, educational, and political debate of this time period. Historical context is utilized as DuBois criticized Booker T. Washington’s attempt of creating the Atlanta Compromise of 1895. The agreement that was ultimately an accommodation to race relations and stunted the long-term progression of blacks was criticized by DuBois. DuBois states that Mr. Washington’s program takes an “economic cast, becoming a gospel of Work and Money to such an extent as apparently almost completely to overshadow the higher aims of life” (33). Economic power is useless without social equality or any other insight that DuBois has shed light on. Conforming to white ideology represents an “old attitude of adjustment and submission” ( DuBois 34). According to DuBois, education was the foundation for mobility, political uprising, and rectitude for black people. DuBois describes a flashback of his days as an educator in Tennessee. The economic inequalities are clearly presented as he uses creative diction and imagery to distinguish the differences between white and black education. He states that he was haunted by his New England vision of “neat little desks and chairs” but reality struck him hard when all he saw in the classroom where black kids are taught was “rough plank benches without backs, and at times without legs” (39). Even with the blacks having the right to an education, …show more content…
In chapter 10, “Faith of Fathers”, DuBois claims graciously that “The Negro church of to-day is the social centre of the Negro life in the United States” (117). The black church continued to serve this role as it was a house of employment, political debrief, educational opportunity, and relationship building of the black community. The harmful effects of discrimination and racism was exiled as the church was a safe haven for those who have been/are oppressed. Spiritual songs were sung which helped get blacks through the triumphs and tribulations. DuBois characterizes the religion of the slave and presents it through the “...Preacher, the Music, and the Frenzy” (116). Blacks looked up to to the preacher as the “boss” who was seen as an activist and a politician who lead blacks through a terrible time through praise and worship of God. Strangely enough, this same religious inducement was used among whites as well. DuBois accuses white people religion of hypocrisy and elements of religion in the constitution are demonstrated by black people’s ability to see the greater good, not by whites who praise the same God. Without religion, black people would lose all faith and hope; salvation would not be
AF-AM 327
9 Oct 2017
Close Reading 1: “The Souls of Black Folks”
W.E.B. DuBois is known to be one of the most prominent scholars of all time. In “The Souls of Black Folks”, DuBois examines the years that immediately follow after the Civil War focusing primarily on the role of reconstruction through the Freedmen's Bureau of 1865. This literary treasure consists of a collection of essays that are categorized by theme and has a poetic style using various metaphors and references of Du Bois's personal and historical context which ultimately represent what it is like to be black in this time period. In this essay I will be analyzing DuBois’s insight on the social implications, political disenfranchisement, religious inducement …show more content…
Booker T. Washington and Others”,helps the reader to better understand DuBois’s campaign on the social, educational, and political debate of this time period. Historical context is utilized as DuBois criticized Booker T. Washington’s attempt of creating the Atlanta Compromise of 1895. The agreement that was ultimately an accommodation to race relations and stunted the long-term progression of blacks was criticized by DuBois. DuBois states that Mr. Washington’s program takes an “economic cast, becoming a gospel of Work and Money to such an extent as apparently almost completely to overshadow the higher aims of life” (33). Economic power is useless without social equality or any other insight that DuBois has shed light on. Conforming to white ideology represents an “old attitude of adjustment and submission” ( DuBois 34). According to DuBois, education was the foundation for mobility, political uprising, and rectitude for black people. DuBois describes a flashback of his days as an educator in Tennessee. The economic inequalities are clearly presented as he uses creative diction and imagery to distinguish the differences between white and black education. He states that he was haunted by his New England vision of “neat little desks and chairs” but reality struck him hard when all he saw in the classroom where black kids are taught was “rough plank benches without backs, and at times without legs” (39). Even with the blacks having the right to an education, …show more content…
In chapter 10, “Faith of Fathers”, DuBois claims graciously that “The Negro church of to-day is the social centre of the Negro life in the United States” (117). The black church continued to serve this role as it was a house of employment, political debrief, educational opportunity, and relationship building of the black community. The harmful effects of discrimination and racism was exiled as the church was a safe haven for those who have been/are oppressed. Spiritual songs were sung which helped get blacks through the triumphs and tribulations. DuBois characterizes the religion of the slave and presents it through the “...Preacher, the Music, and the Frenzy” (116). Blacks looked up to to the preacher as the “boss” who was seen as an activist and a politician who lead blacks through a terrible time through praise and worship of God. Strangely enough, this same religious inducement was used among whites as well. DuBois accuses white people religion of hypocrisy and elements of religion in the constitution are demonstrated by black people’s ability to see the greater good, not by whites who praise the same God. Without religion, black people would lose all faith and hope; salvation would not be