Analysis Of Our Spiritual Strivings By W. E. B Dubois

In the Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B Du Bois uses a collection of compositions to express the idea of blacks empowering themselves and developing into a society that was predominantly white. He discusses the ideas of “the veil” and "double consciousness,” while specifically addressing issues in arguments contrary to Booker T. Washington and his strategies for black advancement. Throughout the narrative, Du Bois illustrates countless examples of experiences for African Americans, and how the power of education can terminate the issues for a black man in America. The language of terms and phrases, plus the illustrations of different situations make Dubois clarify the rejection of Washington’s willingness to avoid race reactions, calling instead

for political power, insistence on civil rights and the higher education of Negro youth.
In the Forethought, DuBois discusses the two worlds with and without the veil. He speaks of leaving the White world and stepping into the world of the veil-world of the Black folks, therefore, expresses his attachment to the veil and how it positioned his views. He uses language such as "gentle reader" or "deeper recesses" to demonstrate to the white reader the importance of the veil to black people and himself. However, Washington understood that the veil was a world for black people, but instead of embracing the concept, he thought of the veil as a wall he and others struggles to rise above. Which he encourage economic power, instead of equality of race.
In DuBois "Of Our Spiritual Strivings" begins with a story of an encounter with a girl who refused to accept his card, which helps introduce to the reader the existence of the veil.

He uses this experience in his first happenstance with the veil to define what he has discussed previously of the two worlds with and without the veil. DuBois explains he was "shut out from their world by a vast veil." (689) While also expressing "I had thereafter no desire to tear down that veil to creep through."(689) Thus symbolizes the veil and how it separates both black and white for each other. Therefore, generating a color line or the oppression for an African American in this society. He further discusses where the veil originated by using an idiomatic expression "the Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second –sight in this American world."(689) Dubois illustrates the veil as a formation shielding the black man from the outside world while being able to gaze into both worlds. However, Booker T. Washington struggle to rise above the veil, expressing the idea that double conscious is not nature but nurture. He expressed the struggle with his own double consciousness and to fight for equality of Negroes from within this veil. Washington, unlike, Dubois suffocated with the veil and choose to rise above the veil. Since both men background were different Washington experience within the veil represented the unequal segregation of black and white people. He saw

advantages of segregation as a way to involve equal fair treatment, while using this to make a race to equal to whites. The veil was an experience for Washington to use his work ethics to show his understanding of all the aspects of the veil. However, instead of Dubois, who suggested that the veil was a way for the black man to understand both sides of the two world, he used it as a stereotype of blacks to gain attention from the white audience. Similar, to DuBois who understood the veil effects on both Blacks and Whites, while using the knowledge to rise above and to lift the veil from his people. He establishes himself above the veil by using arguments to oppose against the racist society.
DuBois and Washington understand their own double consciousness, which shows that they know the contrast between how society views Negros and their individual self- perceptions. Dubois expressed “double consciousness” as a second sight for a Black man to be able to see themselves through the eyes of others while trying to see themselves through their own eyes. “It is a peculiar sensation, the double consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity.” (689) Du Bois illustrates to the reader the concept of the double consciousness and how this shapes the Black man. He goes on to say “He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be a Negro and an America, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of Opportunity closed roughly in his face.” (690) Du Bois expressed that of a figure similar to Washington in this quote because Washington fought for Black economic power without the confrontation of white. He understood the veil, but over time gained knowledge of social conditions of Negroes, and used the double consciousness to address the power of white superiority. For leaders, Du Bois and Washington, use their hard work and education to confront the double conscious, which created their individuality. The individuality for a black person was a strange concept after centuries of slavery without clear identities. Therefore, help these leaders offer an identification for blacks by looking within own double consciousness and individuality.
However, in “Of Mr.

Booker T. Washington and others”, Dubois establishes his arugments against Booker T. Washington. He starts by stating

“Mr. Washington represents in Negro thought the old attitude of adjustment and submission; but adjustment at such a peculiar time as to make his programme unique. This is an age of unusual economic development, and Mr. Washington’s programme naturally takes an economic cast, becoming a gospel of Work and Money to such an extent as apparently almost completely to overshadow the higher aims of life.” (698)

Du Bois demonstrates to the reader the representation Washington constructs to the Black folk. The concept that reasons Washington methods was because he became “comfortable” with the racial discrimination against his own people. He expresses the Washington use this as an advantage to promote his aspect of economic development, while overlooking the idea for Blacks to aim higher. Du Bois continues to express what he considers Washington intentions for African Americans are to succeed in this society.

“In answer to this, it has been claimed that the Negro can survive only through submission. Mr. Washington distinctly asks that black people give up, at least for the present, three things, —

First, political power,

Second, insistence on civil

rights,
Third, higher education of Negro youth, and concentrate all their energies on industrial education, the accumulation of wealth, and the conciliation of the South.”(698-698)
Du Bois use this list to distinctly show Washington methods of racial equality, therefore, the concept for Blacks to give away all power in order to grow into the white society. DuBois crictizies the idea because he felt there wouldn’t be anything left for the Black man to own. He expresses the ignorance of Washington to suggest presenting these concepts to his own people. Du Bois again demonstrates another list of where Washington proposes patience:
Such men feel in conscience bound to ask of this nation three things.
1. The right to vote.
2 Civic equality.
3 The education of youth according to ability. (700)
Du Bois states that to ask for patience in these categories are like accepting equality. He describes that Washington oppose to economic power, however, forget to look at the idea that the only way for Blacks to achieve this power and other rights, we need to able to handle the education of Black youth. Without these Black churches and teachers we cannot grow as an society because we are the best at teaching our own race. He continues to promote the power of education and how the educated can also lift others.