W.E.B. Dubois

WEB DuBois's Influence on Literature and People

In his work The Souls of Black Folk, WEB DuBois had described the life and

problems that blacks in America was not easy. DuBois had a very different

plan in the struggle for black equality and the struggle for the

abolishment of racism than other people that wanted a "separate black

nation" and others that just wanted the blacks to stay submissive. DuBois

only wanted blacks to work hard to become active parts of American society.

Through his writings, speaking, and political activism, WEB DuBois devoted

his life to advancing black movement to a higher level.

DuBois always practiced what he preached. His speeches influenced many, and

always used the pen as his mightiest weapon. He used it to encourage blacks

to be proud and have pride in everything they have accomplished. DuBois had

used the pen to encourage blacks to fight for the rights that they have had

been denied.

It has not been our fault. Rather we have been the blamed and

blamed ourselves for this lack of "economic progress", as it is

called. We are rather ashamed that we have not developed more

millionaires and more big business. (Paschal 154)

DuBois believed that assimilation was the best means of treating

discrimination against blacks in the 1920's. Education was a key to a

diverse and cultural society. DuBois being a well-respected intellectual

and leader, worked 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

submissive. Washington wanted black to try and get along with society

"trying to fit in". He was encouraging blacks to become educated in the

"white man's world". He tried to get blacks into working in agriculture

helping with industry and, to accepting that they get a second class status

in American society. DuBois felt that Washington's plan would cause blacks

to give up.

While DuBois respected Booker T. Washington and his accomplishments, he

felt that blacks needed political power to protect what they had and what

they earned. DuBois called for a new plan of action. He felt that the

greatest enemy of blacks was not necessarily whites but it was the

ignorance of the whites concerning the capabilities of the black race.

DuBois's answer was to encourage the development of black youth in America

so that they understand why racism started. The most talented of the youth

should be educated to be leaders.

Some people seem to think that the fight against segregation

consists merely of one damned protest after another. That the

technique is to protest and wail and protest again, and to

keep this thing up until the gates of the public opinion

are opened and the walls of segregation fall down. (Paschal 144).

A lot of blacks suffered in the 1930's during the affects of the Great

Depression. At the time DuBois was bringing blacks together in what was

called " voluntary segregation", that is, blacks making up their own

organizations and working together. Only at that time he said