W.E.B. Du Bois

Definition

W.E.B. Du Bois was a prominent African American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist, known for his role in advocating for the rights of African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a co-founder of the NAACP and a vocal critic of the accommodationist strategies of other leaders, emphasizing the need for higher education and political representation for African Americans. His ideas and writings played a significant part in shaping the civil rights movement and understanding the implications of the Fourteenth Amendment for African Americans.

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, highlighting his commitment to higher education.
2. He was a strong advocate for political action and civil rights, contrasting with leaders like Booker T. Washington who promoted vocational training.
3. Du Bois was instrumental in organizing the Niagara Movement in 1905, which called for civil rights and condemned racial discrimination.
4. His seminal work, 'The Souls of Black Folk,' published in 1903, challenged prevailing notions about race and identity in America.
5. Du Bois believed that the Fourteenth Amendment's promise of equal protection under the law was essential for achieving true equality for African Americans.

Review Questions

• How did W.E.B. Du Bois's views differ from those of other African American leaders during his time regarding education and civil rights?
  • W.E.B. Du Bois strongly opposed the accommodationist approach advocated by leaders like Booker T. Washington, who emphasized vocational training over higher education. Du Bois believed that a well-educated leadership class, which he referred to as the 'Talented Tenth,' was essential for advancing the rights and social status of African Americans. His focus on political activism and civil rights set him apart from others who prioritized gradual economic progress.
• Discuss the significance of the NAACP in relation to Du Bois's vision for civil rights and how it impacted the broader movement.
  • The NAACP, co-founded by W.E.B. Du Bois, became a crucial organization in fighting racial discrimination and advocating for civil rights in America. Under Du Bois's influence, the NAACP took on legal battles to challenge segregation laws and promote voting rights, aligning with his belief that political representation was vital for African American advancement. The organization's efforts significantly shaped the civil rights movement, laying groundwork for future activism against systemic racism.
• Evaluate how Du Bois’s concept of Double Consciousness relates to the broader implications of the Fourteenth Amendment for African Americans.
  • Du Bois's concept of Double Consciousness illustrates the internal conflict faced by African Americans as they navigate their identity in a society that devalues them. This concept is directly tied to the Fourteenth Amendment's promise of equal protection under the law, which often remained unfulfilled for Black individuals. By highlighting this dissonance, Du Bois emphasized that merely having constitutional rights was not enough; true equality required societal acceptance and justice. His critique challenges us to consider how legal frameworks alone cannot resolve deeply entrenched racial inequalities.

Related terms

NAACP:

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, an organization founded in 1909 to fight for civil rights and combat racial discrimination.

Talented Tenth: A concept introduced by Du Bois referring to the leadership class of educated and skilled African Americans who would guide their communities toward social progress.

Double Consciousness: A term coined by Du Bois describing the internal conflict experienced by marginalized groups in an oppressive society, particularly the sense of being both an American and a Black individual.