In his essay “Conversation of Races,” Du Bois stresses the importance of a historical and sociological perspective on the discussion of differences between existing races. He identifies race, not by physiological traits, but by traditions, aspirations, and beliefs, in particular, a joint striving “for the accomplishment of certain more or less vividly conceived ideals of life” (“Conversation of Races” 39). Thus, Du Bois argues that despite the obvious presence of external differences, representatives of different races are united by mental and psychological characteristics based on common goals, laws, history, and religion.
Each race, therefore, conveys a message to the world, occupying its special place in history. However, the author emphasizes that such a message can be conveyed exclusively by representatives, for which they must be united by a common idea. Thus, black people in America experience a dilemma, as they are unable to assert their identity and “stalwart originality which shall unswervingly follow Negro ideals” (“Conversation of Races” 41). However, they mostly use white dominance as an excuse, not seeking to defend their racial identity while on a historically foreign continent.
Such claims by Du Bois are related to his reasoning in the essay “Of Our Spiritual Strivings”, where the author examines the problem of black people’s lives in the United States. He characterizes the state of modern African Americans as “double-consciousness” (“Of Our Spiritual Strivings” 39). The idea is that black people in America do not live like Africans, but they are not fully American either. They are a mixture of two cultures that cannot coexist peacefully. African Americans are separated from whites by a veil, which they do not seek to eliminate (“Of Our Spiritual Strivings” 38). Thus, Du Bois criticizes the American government for establishing a distinction that should be a stigma for black people throughout their lives.
Both essays combined emphasize that Du Bois claims the need to realize the shared ideals of a racial group, otherwise, it will not be able to actualize itself in the world. Black people in America live in a constant dilemma of being unable to both emancipate and assimilate into American society. The first is the result of the inability of blacks themselves to assert their values and culture through the establishment of authority, which is discussed in “Conversation of Races”. The second stems from the discrimination and separation of African Americans by a particular color line which is considered in “Of Our Spiritual Strivings”.
Charles Mills, in his essay “The Racial Contract,” discusses a similar issue, analyzing the moral and ethical views of white people about other races. The philosopher emphasizes that although social contract theory is considered ethnically and racially neutral, it only regulates the relationship between white people. Non-whites are not included in the agreement as “the objects rather than the subjects” (Mills 12). Thus, Mills argues that representatives of the race created the racial contract which allowed them to oppress and exploit other ethnic groups, applying a different moral and ethical framework to them.
Since the existing social contract is also expressed in the political system, as Du Bois discussed, it creates unfavorable conditions for blacks. Mills argues that modern political theory which is not related to real practice is based on “raceless notions” (Mills 7). The author considers racism exclusively within the framework of white supremacy, created by Europeans to privilege white people. White people have created a philosophy that ignores the presence of other races. As Du Bois called the veil the reason for the segregation and discrimination of blacks in America, Mills suggests that the European-created contract implies white supremacy.
The social contract turned into a racial one and established a racially neutral political system. However, such conditions meant the elimination of ethnic differences and the subordination of all people to colonial rule (Mills 12). As Du Bois argued, each race has its own higher purpose, which manifests in the world (“Conversation of Races” 233). However, the current political system which privileges white people does not consider the needs of representatives of other races.
Thus, black people in America are forced to obey laws that were not created for them, but the dominant group. In the very structure of the world, which is implied by the racial contract, there are no concepts to satisfy the ideals and interests of other races since it divides people into white and non-white (Mills 13). Therefore, double consciousness occurs due to the establishment of white supremacy and discrimination, when people must live according to laws created not for them.
Du Bois, in his effect, criticized the political system which prevents black people, in particular the people of America, from asserting their racial ideals. They are forced to obey the laws of a foreign continent, nevertheless, being its permanent residents. Because of the veil which separates them from white people, they are in a state of double consciousness where they cannot become Americans, but they also cannot remain African. An explanation for this situation can be found in Mills’ work, who calls the social contract created by Western philosophy and political theory exclusively racial. Its laws are developed for white people, ignoring members of other races. Thus, black people are forced to obey laws that were not established for them and ignore their racial ideals.
Works Cited
Du Bois, William Edward Burghardt. “Conversation of Races.” The Oxford W.E.B. Du Bois Reader, by William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, Oxford University Press, 1996, pp. 38-47.
Du Bois, William Edward Burghardt. “Of Our Spiritual Strivings.” The Souls of Black Folk, by William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017, pp. 34-45.
Mills, Charles. The Racial Contact. Cornell University Press, 1997.