William Edward Dubois

William Edward Dubois

William Edward Dubois was an American philosopher and sociologist whose work focuses on resistance to easy classification. His actions aimed at achieving a common goal that is equality of the colored population in the society. He was a philosopher, and his philosophical work is very significant today as it addresses the contemporary issue that is experienced in the community. His work also entails communism as a way of ensuring equality is achieved since it involves a society that tends to promote and value the wellbeing of all members. Thus according to the works of Dubois, the economic state of African-Americans was the primary factor of real oppression, and equality could only be achieved through equal distribution of resources like wealth. Dubois’s experience of prejudice in school made him think of the directions toward his work. He focused on the aim of combating racial discrimination. He thus looked for a solution to the state of equality for the black population in America as he was courage and self-driven. Dubois work toward the elimination of racism through the book titled The suppression of the African Slave Trade to the United States of America. He believed that if people read and understood the situation surrounding the experiences of the African Americans, then his goal to eliminate racism could be achieved.

William Dubois had the most recognized and important work which entails, The Souls of Black Folk. The work revolved around the problem of the Twentieth century of color lines. The works focus on the passionate of the spirit of African –Americans and emphasize their humanity and courage despite experiencing oppression. Also, Du Bois challenges the work of Booker Washington that equality could be achieved through technical education.

Throughout his life, Du Bois was an activist who spearheaded social issues in society. He edited the journal crisis, which primarily focused on racial challenges and ways to prevent them. He thus created The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to focus on the plight of the black population. By being a political activist, he launched the Niagra movement, which was committed to civil and political rights, especially for the blacks.

His work also entails the assertion that a belief in humanity is a belief in men of color, and Dubois tries to make people understand and see racism wherever it is. In 1958 expatriated Ghana, after a long period of combating racism in the USA, and worked on the life of African people by analyzing the social context of life. Du Bois died in Ghana; his place in history is highly valued to date.

William Du Bois used concepts in his work. This includes Double Consciousness.

Double Consciousness

Double consciousness refers to the feeling of people having more than one social identity, which challenges one to develop a sense of self in society. Du Bois Had a belief that African American lives in a society that was characterized by oppression and devalued the people as equal as well the culture of the Africa American population spearheaded equality and dignity of each individual. With a double coincidence concept, then it meant that race was viewed from both cultural perspectives, which made it a challenge to promote unity within the subculture. This damaged identity and self-esteem due to negative perceptions as the existing prejudices improved high chances of doubt as well as inhibition. According to Du Bois, the color factor tends to bring the division of people in the United States, which causes great harm to inhabitants as well as destroy the democracy of a state. African American is a perfect example of a minority group that is not seen in America. However, they are subjected to racial prejudice. The African American feels the alien issue, and they feel themselves with their traditions, and this brings about the doubt consciousness concept. In his work on Souls of Black Fork wants to make an understanding to people about the two souls that are the two thoughts as it entails being split as a person. The division is not proper but perceives it to be unhealthy, and problem to individuals in society, and there is a need to reconcile the idea of people. According to the concept, the human being has a high degree of being split and also the capability of growing and becoming a better person in society. The African –American does possess a unique and valuable identity, and the current circumstances of prejudice prevent one from growing. African American do struggle with the dual identity due to divisions and existing read books of the White culture. For instance, Dubois demonstrates that one way of experiencing the concept is when a father agonizes in raising his son in a white world as well as unsuccessful policies of segregation. The idea of double consciousness is very relevant in today’s world. Population from different states believes that they live in a world that is post-racial, but it’s not the case as many still believe that inequalities and biases do exist, and they are a source of racial prejudice.

Second Sight Concept

Dubois develops the concept in his work as he focuses on the white culture in Dark waterwork. Du Bois argues that African –American possess a perspective whereby they clearly understand the white world yet have a different perception that on an outsider being. White people from dominant do possess a single consciousness, with its cultural and racial norms being absolute. The white people do value themselves due to the blindness sight they possess. Through a second sight perspective, the African –Americans can make discoveries and, at times, expose the white view as they struggle for equality.  The concept is applicable in the world today in many instances where the African –Americans discover an issue that must be addressed to ensure wellbeing on all individuals in society.  The black population is characterized by dualities insight that tends to create two souls as well as two thoughts. For instance, they may have a second sight of institutional inequality and try to find ways to solve since the white population values themselves and would not have second sight in some circumstances.

Conclusion

William Edward Du Bois has significant historical contributions through his work as a philosopher, sociologist as well as a political activist. He disregards the practice of racial prejudice and advocates for equalities through his works and even moving a movement that focused on the rights of the Africa-American. Nevertheless, he develops various concepts that are used to make an understanding of his works, for instance, the idea of double consciousness and the concept of second sight. It’s through the concept that the African –American could discover their oppression and solve them for equality to be achieved. The ideas are applicable in today’s world as, for instance, some people view a society to be free from racial prejudice. On the other hand, some individuals still view a society is characterized by inequalities, which are a result of the race.