The subject of race relations has been one of much controversy over the years. Though America prided itself on industrial advancements and being ahead of many other countries in several aspects, it was surprisingly slow in the aspect of improving race relations. With so many differing viewpoints, race relations were a tough and controversial issue that seemed to have a permanently negative impact on American life and culture, which they did until only a few decades ago. W.E.B. Du Bois, Richard Wright, and Gunnar Myrdal reinforce this statement through their individual essays, each of which deal with the subject, but through differing concerns. All three works were written regarding southern America, but each offers a separate viewpoint. If there’s one thing these essays have in common, though, it is that race relations in the early and mid-1900s were harsher than public opinion would have one believe. In the work of Du Bois, the main concern appears to be the way African Americans are portrayed in literature post-Reconstruction era. In his article, he states that there are three main ideas that are portrayed from textbooks about the African American population: “all Negros were ignorant; all Negros were lazy, dishonest, and extravagant; Negros were responsible for bad government during Reconstruction.” Several examples are given to support each statement, after which Du Bois discusses the hardships of the past several decades from slavery to Reconstruction and how the truth frequently fails to be told. The article, written in 1935, seems to depict a tone of frustration and disgust at the American people, particularly the white population who exhibits these beliefs. The purpose seems to be fairly straightforward-exhibiting the is... ... middle of paper ... ...erent view. Though each article has its differences in style, perspective, and concerns, all three reinforce the idea that race relations in the 1930s and 1940s, especially in the South, were in dire need of work. Whether the issue was how African Americans were viewed, treated, or thought of in American life, the main point that seems to come through in each author’s work is that on the whole, things needed to change from the prejudiced and stereotypical behaviors of southern America and, to a greater extent, the country as a whole. Race relations were not a high point in history, and it is a shame things did not get better sooner than they did. Du Bois, Wright, and Myrdal showed the state of the world after the Reconstruction era and before the Civil Rights movement, which was harsh and controversial yet had a big impact on American life and American history.
Prior to the 1950s, very little research had been done on the history and nature of the United States’ policies toward and relationships with African Americans, particularly in the South. To most historians, white domination and unequal treatment of Negroes were assumed to be constants of the political and social landscapes since the nation’s conception. Prominent Southern historian C. Vann Woodward, however, permanently changed history’s naïve understanding of race in America through his book entitled The Strange Career of Jim Crow. His provocative thesis explored evidence that had previously been overlooked by historians and gave a fresh foundation for more research on the topic of racial policies of the United States.
Hahn discusses both the well-known struggle against white supremacy and the less examined conflicts within the black community. He tells of the remarkable rise of Southern blacks to local and state power and the white campaign to restore their version of racial order, disenfranchise blacks, and exclude them from politics. Blacks built many political and social structures to pursue their political goals, including organizations such as Union Leagues, the Colored Farmers’ Alliance, chapters of the Republican Party, and emigration organizations. Hahn used this part of the book to successfully recover the importance of black political action shaping their own history.
However, with two subsequent editions of the book, one in August 1965 and another in October 1973—each adding new chapters as the Civil Rights movement progressed—one wonders if Dr. King’s assessment still holds up, if indeed The Strange Career of Jim Crow is still the historical bible of the civil rights movement. In addition, one questions the objectivity of the book considering that it gained endorsements from figures who were promoting a cause and because Woodward had also promoted that same cause. The original edition of The Strange Career of Jim Crow had as its thesis that segregation and Jim Crow Laws were a relative late comer in race relations in the South only dating to the late 1880s and early 1890s. Also part of that thesis is that race relations in the South were not static, that a great deal of change has occurred in the dynamics of race relations. Woodward presents a clear argument that segregation in the South did not really start forming until the 1890s.
Although some of Woodward’s peripheral ideas may have been amended in varying capacities his central and driving theme, often referred to as the “Woodward Thesis,” still remains intact. This thesis states that racial segregation (also known as Jim Crow) in the South in the rigid and universal form that it had taken by 1954 did not begin right after the end of the Civil War, but instead towards the end of the century, and that before Jim Crow appeared there was a distinct period of experimentation in race relations in the South. Woodward’s seminal his...
America have a long history of black’s relationship with their fellow white citizens, there’s two authors that dedicated their whole life, fighting for equality for blacks in America. – Audre Lorde and Brent Staples. They both devoted their professional careers outlying their opinions, on how to reduce the hatred towards blacks and other colored. From their contributions they left a huge impression on many academic studies and Americans about the lack of awareness, on race issues that are towards African-American. There’s been countless, of critical evidence that these two prolific writers will always be synonymous to writing great academic papers, after reading and learning about their life experience, from their memoirs.
Du Bois wanted civil rights as well, but in contrast, he believe the only way to get it was through political action and demanding for equal rights. He also believed education would get the black race somewhere. “The South believed an educated Negro to be a dangerous Negro. And the South was not wholly wrong; for education among all kinds of men always has had, and always will have, an element of danger and revolution, of dissatisfaction and discontent. Nevertheless, men strive to know” (Du Bois Page) as W.E.B. Du Bois said. This quote explains how Du Bois felt about education, he thought education would put him at the top because the whites would fear the knowledge of educated African Americans. His main focus when writing was racial discrimination and the advancement of black people. His work was very broad and he combines history with proposals on how to change, like in this work “The Souls of Black Folks.” This is just a collection of autobiographies on the African American life. He mentions things like the “talented tenth” in The Negro Problem, which describes one out of ten blacks becoming leaders. He also coined several terms, including the “veil.” He says “the Negro is like the seventh son, born with a veil” (Du Bois 887). Du Bois believed a veil was being placed over African Americans so that they are not seen as they are. They are true Americans, but whites do not see that and blacks start to lose sight of that. Another important term,
From slavery being legal, to its abolishment and the Civil Rights Movement, to where we are now in today’s integrated society, it would seem only obvious that this country has made big steps in the adoption of African Americans into American society. However, writers W.E.B. Du Bois and James Baldwin who have lived and documented in between this timeline of events bringing different perspectives to the surface. Du Bois first introduced an idea that Baldwin would later expand, but both authors’ works provide insight to the underlying problem: even though the law has made African Americans equal, the people still have not.
Du Bois was a scholar activist who proposed lots of solutions for the issue of racism and discrimination. Du Bois was sort of an opposition to Washington’s ideology, as he strongly believes that it can only help to disseminate white’s oppression towards blacks. We can see his dissatisfaction based on his writing with a title On Booker T. Washington and Others. He wrote that Washington’s philosophy was really not a good idea because the white extremists from the south will perceived this idea as blacks’ complete surrender for the request of civil rights and political equality. Du Bois had a different view on this issue if compared to Washington because of their different early lifestyles. Unlike Washington, Du Bois was born free in the North and he did not receive any harsh experienced as a slave himself and was also grew up in a predominantly white area. In his writings, it is obvious that he thought that the most important thing that the black should gain was to have the equality with whites. Regarding the issue of the voting rights, Du Bois strongly believed that it is important for black people to agitate to get the right to vote. He also believed that the disfranchisement of poor men could mean the catastrophe of South’s democracy (Painter 157). In his writing with a title Of Our Spiritual Strivings, he wrote that it was significant for blacks to exercise the right to vote because there were whites that wanted to put them back in their inferior position—and it was
This novel gives insight on the social issues that African Americans in the south underwent during this time period. This document is important in American history because it allows for historians to understand the two mentalities of black activist during this time period. It also conveys to historians how African American’s attempted to reach equality. Although W.E.B DuBois and Booker T Washington both has their differences in attaining equality, they both wanted African Americans to live better lives in this “new south” era, but had complete different
Throughout his essay, Du Bois challenged Booker T. Washington’s policy of racial accommodation and gradualism. In this article Du Bois discusses many issues he believes he sees
W.E.B Du Bois was a tremendous person. He did a lot to help African Americans from segregation and discrimination. He was determined and dedicated to his work. He had a great amount of impact. His impact did not end segregation or discrimination as a whole. But he reached many. He died still trying to fulfil his duty. His work,studies, and quotes are still reachered and written on. This essay is a way to continue to recognize him,through
Abstract from Essay The reader can contemplate the passage of Du Bois' essay to substitute the words "colored" and "Negro" with African-American, Nigger, illegal alien, Mexican, inner-city dwellers, and other meanings that articulate people that are not listed as a majority. Du Bois' essay is considered a classic because its words can easily reflect the modern day. -------------------------------------------- The Souls of Black Folk broadens the minds of the readers, and gives the reader a deeper understanding into the lives of people of African heritage.
Du Bois wanted civil rights as well, but in contrast he believe the only way to get it was through political action and demanding for equal rights. He also believe education would get the black race somewhere. “The South believed an educated Negro to be a dangerous Negro. And the South was not wholly wrong; for education among all kinds of men always has had, and always will have, an element of danger and revolution, of dissatisfaction and discontent. Nevertheless, men strive to know” (Du Bois Page) as W.E.B. Du Bois said. This quotes explains how Du Bois felt about education, he thought education would put him at the top because the whites would fear the knowledge of educated African Americans. His main focuses when writing was racial discrimination and the advancement of black people. His work was very broad and he combines history with proposals on how to change, like in this work “The Souls of Black Folks.” This is just a collection of autobiographies on the African American life. He mentions things like the “talented tenth” in The Negro Problem, which describes one out of ten blacks becoming leaders. He also coined several terms, including the “veil.” He says “the Negro is like the seventh son, born with a veil” (Du Bois Page). Du Bois believed a veil was being placed over African Americans so that they are not seen as they are. They are true Americans but whites do not see that and blacks start to lose sight of that. Another important term,
Racism (n): the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other race (Wordnet search, 1), a controversial topic in today’s society, a subject that many people try to sweep under the rug, but yet a detrimental problem that has been present in America since the colonial era. Will this dilemma come to a halt? Can all Americans see each other as equals despite their skin color and nationality; and what role has it played in past generations versus today’s generations and how will it affect our future? Has this on going way of thinking gotten better or worse? These are questions raised when many think about the subject; especially members of American ethnic groups and backgrounds, because most have dealt with racial discrimination in their life time.
Furthermore, Du Bois says that the light of the “mighty Negro” of the past has dimmed, the reason for this Du Bois claims is the double aims of African Americans (para 5). These aims are to avoid poverty, through menial labor, and the aim to “escape white contempt”, by working an impressive job but cannot excel in either due to blacks having “half a heart in either cause” (para 5). This “seeking to satisfy two unreconciled ideals”, means that as long African Americans must have both aims, or goals, they can achieve neither (para 5). This development in the idea of double-consciousness is that double-consciousness is what keeps African Americans from reaching their fullest potential, due to its inherent double aims. Although even if these two “unreconciled ideals” are reconciled, it would not be the end of African American’s strife in America (para