Gare du Nord

Last week during class, W.E.B. Du Bois and his theory about the talented tenth surfaced in class discussion. There seemed to be a Universal agreement that his talented tenth concept is problematic. Outside of our classroom there has been a lot of debate regarding Du Bois’s theory, and its application to the Africana community. There are some people who believe that Du Bois created the talented tenth theory, however it was northern liberals who originated the term. Dr. Henry Lyman Morehouse, was…

In the 1920’s there was a large movement of African-Americans from the south to the North. This was called the Great Migration this relocation was due to the discrimination and disfranchisement of Blacks in the south. 6 million blacks poured into Northern, Midwestern, West coast cities ,largely New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, in search for a better life and job opportunities. Due to restrictions on where blacks could live, they were limited to ghettos in the inner city.2 In New York, many…

The Blues: A Door for African Americans’ Identity Langston Hughes’ “The Weary Blues” is a well-formed poem, which reflects the painful history yet rich culture of African American people during the Harlem Renaissance. The message of the poem can be seen in the last line when the speaker says, “he slept like a rock or a man that’s dead.” (35). This implies that the musician in the poem is so passionate towards his music that only his music labels him. What I mean is if the musician stops playing…

of the Era, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois presented their own ideas for the black community on how they can improve their lives alongside the whites. Washington advocated strictly for economic equality first, disregarding political and social justices. On the other hand, Du Bois voiced out against Washington, strongly standing by militant integration, expressing the need for political and social equality as…

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X During the Civil Rights Movement there were many different kinds of leaders trying to unite the black race and gain equality. Among those leaders, the most prominent and glorified was Martin Luther King. King was a minister from Atlanta, became the spokesman for the fight for equality. King stuck out more than others because of his non violent tactics, which involved peaceful protests, sit-ins and boycotts. Also, during this time there was another leader with…

UNDERSTANDING W.E. B Du Bois was an iconic essayist and sociologist of black descent. His most notable work being those he wrote about black lives in his ‘souls of black folks’ essay collection. In this critical analysis of the lives of the Negros in America, he touches upon many themes of the 20th century in relation to the colour line problem. Some of the major themes that he analyzes include, the veil, double consciousness and hope of preserving black lives heritage. Being of African descent…

An inspiring and motivating piece is the first thing I thought when reading Langston Hughes’ poem, “The Negro Mother.” Langston Hughes wrote this poem to remind the African American people of the struggle and abuse that their ancestors had to go through in order to pave the way for their freedom today. The powerful tone that is used in this poem is the voice of the Negro Mother as she encourages her children. Her voice captivates the reader and draws them in, to actually listen and heed her…

African Americans and their influential leaders fought in many ways against racism, segregation, and discrimination following the Civil War until present time. African Americans’ struggle to achieve racial equality and full citizenship in the United States forced them to find ways to enhance their quality of life and establish strong political foundations capable of achieving meaningful social, cultural and economic changes. Their fight for equality led them to create durable movements that…

DuBois plan was called the “Talented Tenth”. The concept of the plan was to choose carefully 10% out of the African American race, particularly young men that was intelligent and well educated and have the government pay their way through college and set them up in political and high positions in society. So that the rest of the race can be encouraged by these young men...and strive to be just like them. And further leading them to have the mentality since they can do it, I can too. In Document…

Du Bois, opposed Booker T. Washington’s views stated in the Atlanta Exposition Address. Du Bois said Washington’s Address shocked all and was interpreted “. . . in different ways: the radicals received it as a complete surrender of the demand for civil and political equality; the conservatives, as a generously conceived working basis for mutual understanding” (Du Bois, W.E.B). Because everyone interpreted it how they wanted to, all approved. Du Bois continues criticizing…