Emily Dickinson, W.E.B. DuBois, Booker T. Washington, and Walt Whitman were poetic writers who mainly addressed issues occurring during their lifetime. One topic, in particular, that every single one of these writers addressed is democracy. While W.E.B. DuBois, Booker T. Washington, and Walt Whitman express their political beliefs freely and openly, Emily Dickinson does not directly address democracy in her poems, but her readers can gain a sense of how “living democratically” can help them in today’s world. Although democracy defends the first amendment, a country ruled by a democracy has more of a chance of experiencing a time where there is uncontrollable violence. To begin, Dickinson was one that hardly ever addressed democracy in her …show more content…
DuBois wanted equality so much that he became the leader of The Niagara Movement, which gave several African Americans the opportunity to express how much they wanted equality for blacks. Several people would describe DuBois’ career “as an unremitting struggle for civil and political rights for African Americans and for human rights around the world” (Baym, 2013, 531). DuBois was the type of person who did not believe in society being separated, for he thought of everyone as being equal. For most of his life, DuBois fought for African American rights, which led to many people having much respect for him. In his book, The Souls of Black Folk (1903), DuBois introduced a concept known as “twoness”. DuBois is quoted as saying, “One ever feels his twoness” (Baym, 2013, 531). What he means by saying this is Americans and African Americans are two different souls. The Americans are independent and the African Americans are dependent on the Americans for jobs, which is basically slavery. “Twoness” is also described as having “double consciousness” (Baym, 2013, 531). Double consciousness is described as how African Americans “must be conscious of how they view themselves, as well as being conscious of how the world views them” (“The Souls of Black Folk”, 2018). When DuBois describes “twoness” as having “double consciousness”, he means that it is difficult for African Americans to have one …show more content…
Whitman addressed democracy in several of his writings, which several people supported because they wanted to hear what he had to say about democracy, and supported what he had to say about democracy. “What’s most shocking about Whitman’s writing today is not his eroticism but his passionate embrace of equality” (“Walt Whitman and the Soul of Democracy”, 2011). Whitman was not opposed to expressing his political beliefs in public, which made several people begin supporting him in his actions and beliefs. Whitman was one who was very appreciative of democracy. He cared about everyone, and saw everyone as equal. He believed that everyone should have the opportunity to do what they feel is the right thing to do. Kathleen Townsend wrote in her article that while reading writings by Whitman, she got the idea that “not only should everyone be free to love whomever they want and marry anyone they wish, but they should be able to work when they need to” (“Walt Whitman and the Soul of Democracy”, 2011). Those who read about Whitman can get the idea that he was “homosexual or bisexual”. Although there were many people who were supporters of Whitman, there were many people who caused controversy about his work due to how he addressed sexuality in his writings. Whitman also incorporated democracy into his work. When writings about “democracy, Whitman celebrated the mystical, divine potential of the individual”
W.E.B. DuBois was an educator, writer, scholar, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, and later in his life a communist, whose life goal was to gain equal rights for all African Americans around the world. DuBois’ writings were mostly forgotten till the late 1960s, because of his involvement in communism and his absence during the civil rights movement in America. Even though his writings were temporarily forgotten because of his tarnished reputation, his legacy has since been restored allowing for his writings to be reprinted becoming a major influence for both academics and activists. DuBois’ accomplishments include his part in the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and his support for the civil rights movement advocating for equal social and economic rights for all African Americans. His accomplishments and efforts in order to gain equal treatment for African Americans outweigh his shortcomings and failures.
Two of the most influential people in shaping the social and political agenda of African Americans were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois, both early twentieth century writers. While many of their goals were the same, the two men approached the problems facing African Americans in very different ways. This page is designed to show how these two distinct thinkers and writers shaped one movement, as well as political debate for years afterward.
Education was a key to a diverse and cultural society. DuBois is a well-respected intellectual. and leaders, working to reach goals of education and peaceful resolutions. between the races and classes. DuBois felt that the black leadership, of Booker T. Washington, was too.
“It should come as no surprise that Washington’s historical conflict culminated as a struggle between him and DuBois” (Gibson III 66). To say the least, both men were very active in the upbringing of African-Americans, but their differences in displaying out the solution was what brought them apart. Washington wanted the education system to enforce industrial teachings that started at lower economic power, while DuBois had more abstract ideas of equality and voting for African-Americans. Washington was conservative in the matter of African-American inclusion into society, hoping that given enough time and progress, people would learn to accept them, rather than fight for social power like what DuBois stood for. Despite Washington’s program that appealed to White-Americans, he was involved in politics and spoke about the disfranchisement of African-Americans. His idea of easing tensions with the superior gathered him more publicity, as to DuBois’s plan of protesting. As a result, DuBois’s idea became more prominent as it branches into what we know now as the civil rights movement. Historically, Washington and DuBois has made a name for themselves, through their intentions for the good will of African-Americans, and that is something that will always hold true in these two notorious
Both Washington and DuBois wanted the same thing for blacks—first-class citizenship—but their methods for obtaining it differed. Because of the interest in immediate goals contained in Washington’s economic approach, whites did not realize that he anticipated the complete acceptance and integration of Negroes into American life. He believed blacks, starting with so little, would have to begin at the bottom and work up gradually to achieve positions of power and responsibility before they could demand equal citizenship—even if it meant temporarily assuming a position of inferiority. DuBois understood Washington’s program, but believed that it was not the solution to the “race problem.” Blacks should study the liberal arts, and have the same rights as white citizens. Blacks, DuBois believed, should not have to sacrifice their constitutional rights in order to achieve a status that was already guaranteed.
Unlike Washington, Dubois was born a free man and lived in the North in a predominately white area in an integrated community. He was very intelligent and excelled in the local schools he attended. However, it wasn’t until he attended Fisk University in Tennessee where he encountered his first issue dealing with racism and the Jim Crow laws. This experience is what shaped his ideas and philosophies on black people and their oppression. Dubois went back to the north to continue his education, focusing on the racial injustice and how to build equality for African Americans right then. After being the first black man to receive his PhD from Harvard University, he wrote his dissertation “The Suppression of the African Slave-Trade to the Unites States of America” which was one of his first academic works. Dubois was a powerful scholar and was headstrong as well. He believed that Washington’s idea would only help to continue the oppression of blacks from white people. Dubois advocated for a right now change. He created a civil rights agenda to work towards advocating equality for African Americans. He argued that Washington’s idea seemed “...well-nigh impossible…” (539). Dubois was an integrationist; he believed that there had to be a stand now, not later and that Washington’s philosophy was more of a submission to the oppression instead of a stand against it. Dubois’ call for change
“It is a peculiar sensation, this 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. One ever feels his twoness, – an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.” (Dubois 694).
role of the poet in democracy, Whitman was eager to assume that role. Whitma n
As a child, Dubois was born a free man into a wealthy family. With opportunities around for him at every corner, Dubois became determined to make something with his life. After studying at Harvard and becoming the first African to graduate with a P.h.D. there, Dubois set his mind onto the African American treatment in America. Seeing the disgusting nature of white supremacists, Dubois knew that the only way for Blacks to actually obtain their rights was to demand them. Since Booker’s beliefs only appealed to hopeful lower-middle class African Americans, Dubois wanted a resolution that would take less time to come to. Without knowing how long they would need to wait for their rights to finally come, the African American community deserved the equality needed for them. If blacks are held down by the society and fail to get the education they need, they will definitely be stuck in their state forever. When talking on the problem of education for blacks, Dubois stated “Education is that whole system of human training within and without the schoolhouse walls, which molds and develops men”. That being said, if blacks follow Bookers path and decide not to use education to their advantage, they won’t develop into the ment they need to be. If whites are the only ones able to obtain an education, they will remain the men in charge of the nation. With racism being a constant issue within the
Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself" is a vision of the American spirit, a vision of Whitman himself. It is his cry for democracy, giving each of us a voice through his poetry. Each of us has a voice and desires, and this is Whitman's representation of our voices, the voice of America. America, the great melting pot, was founded for freedom and democracy, and this poem is his way of re-instilling these lost American ideals. In this passage from "Song of Myself" Whitman speaks through his fellow man and speaks for his fellow man when his voice is not socially acceptable to be heard.
Whitman’s works take on the idea of the human body and sexuality which may scare off some readers. He brings in the idea of worshipping both Men and Women bodies, so with in comparison to Dickinson, Whitman work differs in style due to him not make his stories go dark like Dickinson traditionally does with her works. So what it really comes down to is that Whitman and Dickinson both have their distinct topics but they both are trying to convey their idea about either God, self, or death and Human Body, and sexuality they are trying to enlighten ones knowledge of topics and steer ones mind to truth and what they truly believe is right and what is wrong.
The late president John F. Kennedy once said, “Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” Although many may find comfort by endorsing conformity, some may disagree and think otherwise. President JFK highlighted his point of view by describing conformity as the enemy of a liberal and advanced society. In order to shed a better light onto conformity, we ought to ask ourselves questions like, why do most of us submit to the power of conformity? How does conformity shape our personal lives and our society? And most importantly the consequences that may reflect on our lives if we decided to go against conformity. In her poem, Emily Dickinson, “Much Madness is Divinest Sense” attempted to send a powerful message about conformity.
The poem has set a certain theme and tone but no definite rhyme. In this poem, the poet explores into a thought of the self, the all-encompassing "I," sexuality, democracy, the human body, and what it means to live in the modern world. He addresses that the human body is sacred and every individual human is divine. Hence, Whitman was known for writing poems about individualism, democracy, nature, and war.
Although Whitman uses a great deal of structural ways to stress his ideas, he also uses many other ways of delivering his ideas. First of all, Whitman portrays himself as a public spokesman of the masses. The tone of the poem is a very loud, informative tone that grabs ones attention. The emphasis placed on the word “all” adds to the characterization of Whitman as a powerful speaker. Furthermore, Whitman takes part in his own poem. Participating in his own poem, Whitman moreover illustrates the connection between everything in life. Lastly, Whitman, most of all, celebrates universal brotherhood and democracy.
Emily Dickinson has always been one of my favorite poets. I love her poems because of the pain and sorrow they contain to which I can easily relate. She often writes of funerals and death. I myself have watched too many friends die and have wondered why God would let this happen. At every funeral, some well meaning mourner would say--,"The Lord called him" or "She's with Jesus now." My gut reaction was always, "Bullshit." Then Emily Dickinson's poem "My Life Closed Twice Before its Close" would come to mind, especially the last two lines--,"Parting is all we know of Heaven and all we need of hell." More than anything I've ever heard those lines summarize the doubts I've had about an afterlife and the pain of those left behind.