Du Bois’ “The Souls of Black Folk,”

In Du Bois’ “The Souls of Black Folk,” he explains the striving in the souls of black folk and expresses the equality and freedom they yearn for in an age of such harsh prejudice treatment. He first addresses the question of how it feels to “Be a problem.” For that is how the white men view his culture, as menaces to society. He says he has never known life as not being the “problem,” for the first noticed this difference and racism in his childhood. The negative effects subsequently, only intensified as he grew older, and “dazzling opportunities were theirs, not mine.” Du Bois however, claims that he told himself he would somehow, someday, take this mandate and underserving racial upper hand from them. Du Bois goes on to explain how the Africans view themselves through the eyes of others. Thus, they see them self as the world around them sees Africans: in contempt and pity. He explains how tough it is to feel the “two-ness” of being on one hand an independent American, while on the other a culturally diverse African; along with his ethnicities longing to merge the two into being a better and truer self. Du Bois then goes on to explain how these days are more of a “second slavery.” For in the days of bondage, the actual captivity was thought to be the root of evil and problem; for is slavery was taken away, all racial dilemmas would be resolved. This however, was clearly not the case. For even the centuries after emancipation, the nation has not yet found peace between the two races, and discrimination has yet to improve. The Africans must not give up however but they must still strive for “physical freedom, and political power, trainging of the brains, and training of the hands” and if all these ideals are attained and fused together, then Du bois claims, their dreams of a new world with freedom and equality will be true. In short, all these things, (work, culture, and liberty) are the tools that will eventually save them from the second slavery. Both races currently however, are so poor in these qualities that in order for this true America to come about, both races must strive for and attain such qualities to live in harmony.

“The Souls of Black Folk,” is a very passionate and argumentative essay. Du Bois vividly paints a picture of racism in society and conveys the feeling of discrimination, and the hopelessness the African-Americans feel in an ongoing struggle to be equal and free. The essay lays out the points on which the Africans are oppressed and how they must overcome this for the betterment of America. In explaining that if both races can master work, culture, and liberty on even levels and peace, then America will be successful. I agree that for in order for America to excel, the two races must harmoniously work together. For a nation that is divided will not progress or succeed, yet continue to internally crumble.