The Souls of Black Folk (PDF/ePUB) By W.E.B. Du Bois Read Online for free.
The Souls of Black Folk Book Summary
| Book Name: | The Souls of Black Folk |
| Author: | W.E.B. Du Bois |
| Pages | 164 |
| Language: | English |
| File Type: | PDF/ePub (Downloadable) |
| PDF Size: | 775 KB |
| ePub Size | 172 KB |
| Also Read | A Brief History of Humankind (PDF/ePUB) By Yuval Noah Harari |
This seminal publication serves as a foundational piece within the canon of black protest literature. W. E. B. Du Bois (1868–1963) significantly contributed to the formulation and implementation of the strategy and programme that exerted a significant influence on black protest in America during the early 20th century. In this compilation of writings, initially released collectively in 1903, the author articulates a persuasive argument asserting that the act of beseeching for fundamental rights, which are intrinsically entitled to all individuals, is a debasement of human dignity. Furthermore, the user asserts that the approach of adapting to white supremacy, advocated by Booker T. Washington, who held significant influence as a black leader in the United States at that time, would merely contribute to the continued subjugation of the black community.
The release of The Souls of Black Folk constituted a significant occurrence that contributed to the division of black leaders into two distinct factions: the comparatively moderate adherents of Washington’s ideology and the more radical proponents of assertive protest. The impact of this phenomenon is of significant importance and should not be underestimated. This publication is of utmost importance for anybody with an interest in African-American history and the ongoing pursuit of civil rights within the United States.
About The Author W.E.B. Du Bois
William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, commonly pronounced as ‘doo-boyz’, was born in Massachusetts in the year 1868. The individual in question pursued higher education at Fisk College located in Nashville, subsequently obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1890 and a Master of Science degree in 1891 from Harvard University.
Du Bois pursued his academic endeavours at the esteemed University of Berlin, subsequently attaining his doctoral degree in history from Harvard University in 1894. From 1897 through 1910, he served as a professor, instructing courses in economics and history at Atlanta University. In his seminal work, “The Souls of Black Folk” published in 1903, the author garnered recognition as he advocated for the empowerment of black Americans, specifically emphasising the importance of asserting their educational and economic entitlements.
W.E.B. Du Bois played a pivotal role as one of the founding members of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP). Additionally, he served as the editor of the NAACP’s esteemed journal, “Crisis,” from 1910 until 1934. Du Bois transformed the publication known as “Crisis” into the preeminent literary newspaper within the African American community. The black nationalist individual broadened his scope of interests to encompass matters of global significance, earning him the moniker of the “father of Pan-Africanism” due to his efforts in orchestrating international gatherings of individuals of African descent.
Despite incorporating religious metaphors and sentiments in many literary works and writings, Du Bois identified himself as a freethinker. In his posthumously published essay titled “On Christianity,” Du Bois offers a critique of the black church. He argues that the theology embraced by the average coloured church excessively relies on the concepts of “Hell and Damnation.” This theological approach seeks to instill moral behaviour by employing fear tactics, specifically by threatening individuals with the horrors of death and punishment.
We are often conditioned to uphold certain theological beliefs that may be considered simplistic or naive. The aforementioned statement pertains to the tangible consequences that individuals face as a result of their wrongful actions, as well as the recurring assertion that via prayer, anyone can attain anything at any given moment. Towards the conclusion of his life, Du Bois joined the Communist Party and publicly renounced his United States citizenship, ultimately passing away in Ghana, the nation he had chosen as his new home. In the year 1963.
The Souls of Black Folk Book Summary
Through the act of engaging with W.E.B. Du Bois’ seminal work, The Souls of Black Folk, I have acquired a deeper understanding of the historical epoch commonly referred to as the Reconstruction era. The aforementioned quotation serves as a notable exemplification.
If the political circumstances were less urgent, the opposition to government oversight of African Americans less intense, and the support for the institution of slavery less powerful, one can envision a more favourable approach. This would involve the establishment of a permanent Freedmen’s Bureau, accompanied by a nationwide network of schools specifically for African Americans. Additionally, there would be a closely monitored employment and labour office, ensuring fair treatment. A system of un
Du Bois’ analysis of the Freedmen’s Bureau facilitated a shift in my attention from the injustices inflicted against enslaved individuals to the unmet commitments made to emancipated men.
The work possesses brevity and its key arguments are refined.
In this endeavour, I have endeavoured to provide a rudimentary and indeterminate depiction of the metaphysical realm within which a myriad of Americans reside and endeavour.
In two chapters, I have examined the challenges faced by the large population of black peasants, while in another chapter, I have aimed to elucidate the current dynamics between the descendants of slave owners and enslaved individuals.
What is the subjective experience associated with being perceived as a problem? The individual asserts that they are acquainted with an outstanding individual of colour within their local community. Alternatively, they claim to have engaged in combat at Mechanicsville. Lastly, they inquire whether the egregious acts committed in the Southern region evoke a strong emotional response. The instances of injustice were not limited just to the Southern region, but, the utilisation of “body cams” has played a significant role in increasing our awareness of the consistent differential treatment experienced by individuals of colour on a regular basis.
The subject matter is intellectually stimulating and, in certain instances, prompts individuals to take action due to the potential for significant shifts in our previously held assumptions.