Du Bois is one of the most under-read African-American voice of the 20th century. He offers an analysis of race within the United States that is still relevant today. The Souls of Black Folk was written in 1903 and continues to be relevant a hundred years later. He deals with several issues such as the racial divide and the achievement gap between African-Americans and the European-Americans. He goes on to identify the combination of political involvement and education that has resulted in African-Americans building a cultural heritage from their primitive roots. This paper is a book review of The Souls of Black Folk by analyzing its political ideology, theme, main argument, and correlations with contemporary issues.
Part one: Hypotheses, theme, and conclusion
Du Bois wrote The Souls of Black Folk so as to show its readers the strife within the souls of the black people and community. He wants readers to feel the losses of blacks, their achievements, and their pains. The main hypothesis is featured in the question “Will America be poorer if she replaces her brutal determined Negro humiliation?”
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The main theme of the book is about the division between the blacks and whites. The book describes the history of the blacks through slavery, education, politics, and abolition. Du Bois introduces a problem which he calls “the negro problem.” The main issue he addresses is what America wants to do with all the newly free black people. The book further addresses a double consciousness where one views things from an American and Black perspective. Throughout history, humans have tried to find ways to better than the other person. Racism is a perfect example but does not represent anything real. Instead, it creates a hierarchy where people with more European features are viewed higher compared to other races.
The conclusion of The Souls of Black Folk is the overwhelming sense that African Americans have a history that is worth noting. Although the book was aimed at the larger audience, it was aimed at educated African Americans. Du Bois showed what one could accomplish with education. He demonstrated that education could be a weapon in the struggle of African Americans for racial equality.
Part 2: Normative Perspective
The major wrong that Du Bois addresses is that the world has neglected the black people. He writes that he wanted the world to know the humanity of black folk. Some of the essays address the ongoing debates about the best way to improve black lives. Du Bois views the wrong in the veil placed on the black people that prevented them from having opportunities. The black strived to see opportunities through the veil that white people had been privileged to have.
Another evil addressed by Du Bois was the position of Washington where he sees him both as an antagonist and protagonist. Washington had begun with very little and became successful despite his race. This is good, and he is a protagonist in the African-American culture. Washington shows an evil side when he calls for African-Americans to submit to prejudices that had been presented to them. Washington faulted African-Americans for their conditions and said that they needed education to succeed. Du Bois did not agree with this and viewed Washington as an antagonist.
Part 3: Political ideology
Du Bois presents a topic about black leaders and politicians at that time. He views a gap in the political field where it is dominated by the whites. He critiques Washington’s views and considers his leadership style that succumbs to control. Du Bois observes various political movements such as Affirmative Action legislation, ambivalence by national parties towards black concerns, and the voice of the Blacks. The black man had no say on how much he was to be taxed or who shall make and execute the laws. His political ideology was to give a voice to the blacks.
Part 4: Major Argument
The major argument presented is the challenges faced by the Blacks due to inequality and racism. Du Bois assesses the flaws in White society and the resultant limitations of the Black society. In the seventh chapter, he addresses the issue of land and economics. Blacks were given land, but it would later be taken away from them. Some blacks had to work for many years to attain land because rent was extremely high and unfair to them. He talks about a man that had worked for 45 years and had no land or nothing to show for it (Du Bois, 2008).
Part 5: Sources
Each chapter in The Souls of Black Folk starts with a pair of epigraphs. These are texts from a European poem and the musical score of spirituality. Du Bois describes this source as an echo from haunting melody from the only American music that welled up black souls in the past. Du Bois sources his work from past melodies and poems to show the nature of the racial division. The lines in the books serve as the underline argument of various chapters in the book. For instance, Booker T. Washington’s view of otherworldly salvation was hoped for in the text titled “A Great Camp Meeting at the Promised Land.” He additionally calls for education through the title “Of the Training of Black Men” where he makes use of the words march on.
Part 6: Lessons Learned
I found the book extremely interesting because of its vivid details. I managed to learn a lot about black history that was never taught in high school. Life had always seemed difficult for the blacks during that time. However, I had never fully understood that the setbacks they faced were numerous and difficult. I had never learned about the famous black leaders and politicians in history. It was inspirational to read the depth of the stories from the great leaders. I also learned that Native Americans were not so accommodative of Blacks and prohibited them living in their territory.
Part 7: Relation to contemporary issues
The history of the book relates to the issue of immigration reforms taking place in our country at present. Du Bois mentions that people would at times say that they know colored men that are excellent. He adds that this is pure racism but is simply beating around the bush. Mexicans are going through the same situation at present. While there are people verbal on the issue, many are thinking what they are going to do about other races moving into the country (Massey et al., 2002). The issues are closely related, and it is happening all again, this time affecting a different race. It would be highly beneficial to take a look at history before making unwise decisions.
Part 8: Future Research
While Du Bois addresses several issues that faced the black at that time such as racism, he fails to identify that the impact that colonialism and slavery had a defining impact on the African Peoples. The book does not clearly depict how strategies and policies for making progress can be built upon the underlying evidence. However, the book is relevant and useful today in exposing the racial divide that is still existent. African descendants have made several years since slavery. However, there is a long process to go for racism to be fully eliminated. Du Bois’ book is an important read for anyone that would like to understand racism in America. The book depicts racism in history and today.
References
Massey, D. S., Durand, J., & Malone, N. J. (2002). Beyond smoke and mirrors: Mexican immigration in an era of economic integration . Russell Sage Foundation.
Du Bois, W. E. B. (2008). The souls of black folk . Oxford University Press.
