In the first pages of The Souls of White Folk, the author reflects on the prospects of perceiving white skin color in the nineteenth century. In the Middle Ages, reflection on skin color and its meaning were not prevalent. Next, the author reflects on the meaning of whiteness in general.
The author describes the experience of a young African-American child. She encountered a lot of hatred and misunderstanding from the white people. In the next paragraph, the war and its horrors are discussed.
These wars are a result of white men who fight against other white men. The conflicts that happened in Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, and other countries led by Germany, Frane, and Spain are mentioned. In these pages, the author reflects on the meaning of the souls of the white folks.
The effect that this has on family life and society is highlighted as the author mentions Belgium as it flourished during the war. The author describes the words of Hauptmann and questions the modern theory of colonial expansion. In the following pages, the exploitation of black and brown people and colonial life, the cheap labor, and fertile lands are outlined.
The policy of the open door, which was only opened for the white people, is discussed. In the final pages, the author mentions the World War. Europe’s delusion is highlighted, considering the history of hatred and war. America is stated to be a suitable peacemaker, despite its failure in the context of racial discrimination.
In summary, The Souls of White Folk depicts the experiences of the racial discrimination that the author witnessed throughout history and specifically in the twentieth century. In addition, this essay highlights the history of colonialism and imperialism, which, in essence, exploited the black people and their land. As conclusion, the author states that America should be an example of democracy and acceptance but fails to do so.