Du Bois

Juana Paz
Juana Paz
Jul 24, 2017 · 2 min read

In Souls of Black Folk, Du Bois developed his ideas on “double consciousness” and “the veil”. For Du Bois, the veil concept is created by three things. First, the literal darker skin of Blacks, is a physical example of difference from the whiteness of the Caucasian population. Second, Caucasian people lack clarity to see African Americans as true Americans and the last concept is, African Americans lack clarity to see themselves outside of how white America describe them. Du Bois describes double consciousness” as a sense of twoness where a person is aware of their two parts that make them who they are like African Americans are aware of themselves being Black and Americans. In The Souls of Black Folk, Du Bois describes double consciousness as It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his two-ness, an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.” Double consciousness is being aware of being two or more things at the same time.

For example I am an American , a women, and Hispanic this are  three things that I am at the same time and I might have to internally fight with my self to which self to use depending in the environment. To be American to me it means that I have to know English and know what is going on in the government or in the country. To be a woman to me it means that I have to have a level of love and compassion for others and that I have to be strong but delicate. To be Hispanic means that you are strong and have a deep love and understanding for your roots and your country.

Juana Paz

Written by

Juana Paz

Hello my name is Juana, my stories will be over African American literature. I will be posting every week over a new theme or topic.

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