The Souls of Black Folk
The Souls of Black Folk is a 1903 work of American literature by W. E. B. Du Bois. It is a seminal work in the history of sociology and a cornerstone of African-American literature. The book contains several essays on race, some of which had been published earlier in The Atlantic Monthly. To develop this work, Du Bois drew from his own experiences as an African American in American society. Outside of its notable relevance in African-American history, The Souls of Black Folk also holds an important place in social science as one of the early works in the field of sociology. [1]
Summary
This book contains fourteen essays where Du Bois provided keen insight into the social problems of the day. The text is important due to its broad applications for understanding the religious, economic, political, social, and cultural implications of a society precariously structured to garner and measure the success of the one group at the expense of another. Furthermore, Du Bois' observations and findings are timeless; many of his concerns continue to plague society today. Du Bois presented a conundrum - how a religious, White America could be so entrenched in racism, on one hand, and how a deeply aggrieved Black America negotiated such terrain through the use of that same religion. [2]
Controversy
The author eloquently informed the reader of a variety of challenges faced by Blacks as a result of inequities in every societal arena. In addition, he delved into their spiritual psyche to show an indomitable spirit. The strength of the work also lies in Du Bois's ability to systematically and critically assess flaws in White society and the resulting limitations in Black society. Although he clearly pointed to the legacy of racism as the primary culprit that stymied progress for the Black masses, he was able to soberly attest to ways in which a large segment of the Black population refused to avail themselves of those existing resources required to improve their lot. At the heart of the text was the presentation of a conflicted, dichotomized identify- being Black and American - where the former identity labeled one a "problem" to be ignored, pitied, or stigmatized and the latter identity served as a constant reminder of a legacy of oppression and station to be esteemed but never reached. Du Bois also used other dichotomies - the sacred and secular, qualitative and quantitative analyses, and examples of oppression and liberation. [3] In this book Du Bois coins two terms that have developed into theoretical fields of study: “double consciousness” and “the Veil." “Double consciousness" is the belief that the African-Americans in the United States lives with two conflicting identities that cannot be entirely merged together. The first and most important to the black experience is the black identity. The second most important thing is the American identity, an identity into which the black man was born only because of the historical remnants of slavery. Working along with the idea of double consciousness is the veil, which describes that African-Americans’ lived experience happens behind a veil. While they are able to understand what life is like for people outside of and within their group, it is difficult for white people to fully understand the black experience. The Souls of Black Folk provides the reader with a glimpse into life behind the veil. [4]
References
- ↑ The Souls of Black Folk. Wikipedia. Retrieved February 1 2021.
- ↑ Barnes, Sandra L. A Sociological Examination of W. E. B. Du Bois' The Souls of Black Folk. The North Star. 2003. Retrieved February 1 2021.
- ↑ Barnes, Sandra L. A Sociological Examination of W. E. B. Du Bois' The Souls of Black Folk. The North Star. 2003. Retrieved February 1 2021.
- ↑ The Souls of Black Folk Summary. Grade Saver. Retrieved February 1 2021.