W.E.B. Du Bois

Definition

W.E.B. Du Bois was a prominent African American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist born in 1868. He is best known for his advocacy for the rights of African Americans and his role in the founding of the NAACP, which fought against racial discrimination and for social justice. His work highlighted the economic and social inequalities faced by African Americans, especially in relation to the plantation system that had long perpetuated these injustices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Du Bois was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1895, breaking barriers in academia.
2. He published 'The Souls of Black Folk' in 1903, a seminal work that addressed issues of race, culture, and social justice in America.
3. Du Bois believed that economic empowerment was crucial for African Americans, often criticizing Booker T. Washington's approach of vocational training over higher education.
4. He helped establish the Niagara Movement in 1905, which sought to oppose racial segregation and promote civil rights through activism.
5. Du Bois spent a significant part of his later life in Ghana, where he continued to advocate for Pan-Africanism and global unity among people of African descent.

Review Questions

• How did W.E.B. Du Bois's perspective on education differ from other African American leaders of his time?
  • W.E.B. Du Bois strongly advocated for higher education and the development of a leadership class among African Americans, opposing Booker T. Washington's emphasis on vocational training. Du Bois believed that a well-educated elite, which he termed the 'Talented Tenth,' was essential to challenge systemic racism and uplift the entire African American community. This difference in perspective highlighted the broader debate about strategies for achieving civil rights and economic equality.
• What role did W.E.B. Du Bois play in the founding of the NAACP, and why was this organization significant for African Americans?
  • W.E.B. Du Bois was instrumental in founding the NAACP in 1909, serving as the editor of its magazine, The Crisis. The NAACP became a leading organization fighting against racial discrimination and advocating for civil rights through legal challenges and public campaigns. Its significance lies in its persistent efforts to combat Jim Crow laws, support desegregation, and promote voting rights, making it a cornerstone of the civil rights movement.
• Evaluate W.E.B. Du Bois's concept of Double Consciousness and its relevance to understanding the impact of the plantation system on African American identity.
  • W.E.B. Du Bois's concept of Double Consciousness describes the internal struggle faced by African Americans as they navigate their identity within a racially divided society. This concept is deeply relevant when examining the legacy of the plantation system, which dehumanized African Americans and imposed an oppressive societal framework. Through Double Consciousness, Du Bois illuminated how systemic racism creates conflicting identities among African Americans, as they strive for self-definition while grappling with societal stereotypes and discrimination rooted in their historical experiences on plantations.

Related terms

NAACP: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, an organization founded in 1909 that aimed to eliminate racial discrimination and secure civil rights for African Americans.

Talented Tenth: A term coined by Du Bois referring to the top ten percent of educated and skilled African Americans who he believed should lead the fight for civil rights and uplift the African American community.

Double Consciousness: A concept developed by Du Bois to describe the internal conflict experienced by subordinated or colonized groups in an oppressive society, particularly how African Americans navigate their identity in a racially divided America.