One hundred years after
The beginning of the twentieth century was characterized by numerous changes taking place in every country of the world. The United Stated were also transforming into a new society. Americans tried to build a truly democratic country where all people of many nations and colors could be really equal. By all means, that was quite a difficult and very long process. In fact, it is hardly possible to state that the process has changed even one hundred years after. Of course, the life of African Americans has changed dramatically.
For instance, in 1900 the majority of African Americans (83%) were living in rural areas, whereas in 1994 the majority of African American population (86,3%) lives in urban areas (Steele 35). It goes without saying that this part of population has gained many freedoms and in the beginning of the twenty-first century African Americans play an important role in the society. Nevertheless, the issue of racial intolerance is still one of the most burning in the United States.
Many African Americans face many injustices and have to struggle trying to prove that they worth the freedoms gained. Thus, in such a world the book by W.E.B. Du Bois Souls of Black Folks can never become less important than I was 100 hundred years ago.
The book has two major values. First of all, it is a historical sketch of what was happening in the society. So, it is a great source of detailed and comprehensive information. On the other hand, this book can be a valuable didactic source. Apart from giving certain facts and figures, the book also portrays the inner world of African Americans who had to struggle for being equal to white people. Thus, while reading Souls of Black Folks many can find the solution for the long-lasting tension.
The value of factual information
Despite the fact that Du Bois tried to outline “the spiritual world in which ten thousand Americans live and strive” he provided a lot of particular historical information (Du Bois 4). For instance, he mentions certain dates, figures and names which were significant for the life of African Americans.
Thus, in “Of the Dawn of Freedom” Du Bois traces the major stages of the slavery emancipation process. He does not merely depicts the fears and hopes of African Americans but precisely reveals the conditions which formed those feelings in that part of American society.
He comments on particular steps implemented by individuals or organizations to obtain equality. Notably, Du Bois provides quite unbiased analysis of those actions. He does not judge from the individual’s viewpoint, he sees the entire picture and articulates what was good or bad for the overall community of African Americans.
For instance, Du Bois articulates that Washington’s program is erroneous in several crucial points. Byerman stresses that Du Bois “countered” one of the central Washington’s ideas of industrial education for African Americans (199). Du Bois, on the contrary, revealed that higher education is essential for African Americans since it is the key to obtaining true equality with white people (46).
Such attention to facts makes the book informative and realistic. Du Bois manages to explain what conditions evoked certain feelings in African Americans. This factual precision prevents readers from perceiving the book as a fictional contemplation about tragedy of African Americans. This academic approach enables readers to draw certain conclusions on the basis of truthful facts and personal point of view of an educated person.
Inner world of African Americans
Du Bois denotes that the major of the book is to reveal the inner world of those who have to struggle for equality, those who pertain to particular culture but have to assimilate with other people who still regard themselves as masters.
Schaffer states that Du Bois portrays African Americans as people who are born with veil which is “a metaphor for the bifurcation which the black man must routinely deal with” (266). Schaffer articulates that African Americans not only have to live in a hostile world but often “finds that the beliefs which he himself holds dear are hostile to himself” (266).
Mocombe points out another definition to that peculiarity of African Americans’ inner world given by Du Bois, i.e. “double-consciousness” and “twoness” (1). Thus, Du Bois depicts his veil and his approach to the overall issue. Notably, he regards himself as a “problem”, he sees that there is a veil between him and the rest of the “pale” society (Du Bois 5). However, he also admits that he is not eager to tear the veil.
Du Bois does not mind living on that side of it, but he has his own vision of solving the problem: he will beat those who does not want to accept him in everything. Nevertheless, Du Bois depicts other viewpoints of those who live behind the veil: some of them shut down and reveal only hatred or hostility to all “white” and many simply “waste” their energy pitying themselves and cursing their fate of being strangers in their “own house” (5).
At this point it is necessary to note that Du Bois considers this duality of souls in terms of “the racial science and the ideology of biological determinism” (Mocombe 1). Thus, Du Bois admits that African Americans assimilate with the American society but at the same time have their own particular beliefs determined by their racial type.
It is necessary to point out that Du Bois is quite emotional in expressing thoughts and dreams of African Americans. His essays are very catching since irrespective of race or nation the reader starts thinking of unfairness of the “problems”. This mixture of scientific (historical and sociological) approach and emotionality of a representative of the suppressed part of society reveals the tragedy of African Americans living in the beginning of the twentieth century.
The tragedy of African Americans
Du Bois portrays many hardships of African Americans throughout his book: from the days of civil war up to the moment when democratic principles won (or at least they were thought to win) in the society. Du Bois reveals those harsh points which really need consideration.
For instance, he states that many people think they know a lot about the life of African Americans, but they do not try to know more (Du Bois 63). Moreover, those people are afraid of coming across some unpleasant facts which will explicitly show the real conditions where African Americans have to live.
Thus, Du Bois finds it natural to reveal some facts about African Americans’ lives: “their daily lives and longings”, “their homely joys and sorrows”, “their real shortcomings and the meaning of their crimes” (Du Bois 63). Again Du Bois provides many credible facts which enhance the impression provided by the book. While reading the book it is possible to see the real tragedy of African Americans. It is necessary to stress that Du Bois exploits quite fruitful technique combining bright literary language and scientific analysis.
The facts accompanied by bright metaphors bring into front the duality of American society where someone can enjoy the comfort of their lives and some should struggle for humane conditions of life. For instance, the story of Argonauts and the Golden Fleece is that background which underlines the inhumane conditions of African Americans’ lives (Du Bois 61-73). By all means, this approach serves the main purpose of the book – to make people know about the two sides of the coin, make them feel the necessity to find solutions.
The significance of Souls of Black Folks
The significance of the book can hardly be overestimated since it has been a potent stimulus to solve difficult (or rather unpleasant) issues. For instance, Harris defines Du Bois as “the filtering agent through which whites could learn what it means to be black” (218). Admittedly, the understanding of the viewpoints of both communities can lead to fruitful collaboration. Souls of Black Folks is a guide which teaches what is really important for African Americans.
Harris claims that Du Bois “discusses issues to encourage sociobehavioral change within the African American community to develop European American empathy toward African Americans” (218). It is necessary to point out that the book reaches its aim since it has evoked long-lasting discourse. The book was one of those factors which initiated the dialogue which in its turn generated many effective solutions.
The great value of the book is that it portrays unfairness of many things accepted in the society and at the same time he suggests certain solutions. Du Bois mentions the struggles and ignorance of African Americans, articulates their longing and fears. At the same time it is possible to trace certain strategies provided by Du Bois. Notably, those strategies are useful for both, “white” and “black” camp.
For instance, “whites” reading the book can see the real conditions where “blacks” have to live, and this knowledge inevitable evokes the desire to change at least some part of the unfairness of the world. On the other hand, “blacks” reading the book can see possible options which can help to become equal to the rest of the population of “democratic” society. For instance, Du Bois promulgates the exclusive power of higher education which is the key to certain success.
Of course, in the beginning of the twentieth century Du Bois could only dream about the veil removal. However, even in the twenty-first century some people create such artificial veil. The existence of those veils makes the book still up-to date. It goes without saying that nowadays Souls of Black Folks can be even more effective since many stereotypes and unfair rules are forgotten and condemned.
Thus, it can be helpful to resort to the book when some biased situations emerge. Irrespective of nation or race people can find many ideas which can prevent or resolve conflict situations. In conclusion, it is possible to point out that the major significance of the book is that it can serve as a source of reconciliation.
Works Cited
Byerman, Keith Eldon. Seizing the Word: History, Art, and Self in the Work of W.E.B. Du Bois. Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 1994. Print.
Du Bois, William Edward Burghardt. The Souls of Black Folk (an African American Heritage Book). Radford, VA: Wilder Publications, 2008. Print.
Harris, Shanette M. “Constructing a Psychological Perspective: The Observer and the Observed in The Souls of Black Folks.” The souls of Black folk: one hundred years later. Ed. Dolan Hubbard. Columbia, Missouri: University of Missouri Press, 2003. 218-251. Print.
Mocombe, Paul. The Soul-Less Souls of Black Folk: A Sociological Reconsideration of Black Consciousness as Du Boisian Double Consciousness. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America, 2009. Print.
Schaffer, Robert G. “W.E.B. Du Bois’ the Souls of Black Folk as an Example of the Tragic.” The Orchestration of the Arts: A Creative Symbiosis of Existential Powers : The Vibrating Interplay of Sound, Color, Image, Gesture, Movement, Rhythm, Fragrance, Word, Touch. Ed. Marlies Kronegger. Norwell, MA: Springer, 2000. 265-275. Print.
Steele, James Daniel. “The Soul of the “Black Belt” Revisited.” The souls of Black folk: one hundred years later. Ed. Dolan Hubbard. Columbia, Missouri: University of Missouri Press, 2003. 34-49. Print.