My impressions from the reading “The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois”
The first impression that came into my mind after reading this narrative by DuBois is the perpetual hope that one would have for a better lifestyle. Even in the contemporary world it is rational that everyone yearns to lead a better life in terms of economic, social political and psychological aspects i.e. requiring economic freedom through equality in resource endowment and accessibility, political democracy as well as social representation. Equally, when I read this narrative I started imagining and thinking literally of a soul yearning for democracy in a society infested with heightened propaganda, inequalities and ignorance. From the onset I could not help sympathizing with these souls that suffer from heightened oppression (veil) despite their desire for freedom and reconciliation and this even made me to ask myself many questions on what ought to be done to foster democracy (Justice, Liberty and Right) particularly in a multi-racial society. I also started conceptualizing on how detrimental such passive submission to white supremacy could be to economic development and social welfare of a society.
On reading this narrative I started thinking and appreciating that even in today’s society, Ethnic minorities face discrimination in the labour market as defined by limited or no access to jobs, education, health facilities and political inclusion. Borrowing from the International Council on Human Rights Policy (2001) increased gender and racial diversity in the labour market plays a significant role in bolstering economic growth. Veil represents racial boundaries; social and psychological as well as black ‘invisibility’ in U.S history like a curtain that separates racial minorities and racial majorities in America and which symbolizes an oppressive force on the minorities who live within it. In this context i was made to understand and appreciate that it is only through transcending “the veil” can people achieve not only liberty but also self-consciousness.
DuBois also uses veil to symbolize the separation of Whites and Blacks physically, psychologically and economically through slavery which brands Black Americans as an “other”. Psychologically, the veil hides the humanity of Blacks making their relations during the writing of this narrative to be marked with constant violence such like the lynching of Blacks by such groups like the Ku Klux Klan (Barnes, 2003). Here, DuBois intended to elucidate the ‘invisible’ history and to manifest the strivings of the Black Americans and how education could help liberate them. DuBois emphasized on the deleterious effects which racism has on the lives of Black people telling that racism causes such things like: separate sphere of life, self hate, conflicted identity as well as a lack of industriousness. Here I started thinking of the current implications of segregation on economic downturn.
According to OECD (2004) the highest value of education is not only its significance in economic competitiveness but is certainly tolerance. This study observed that education enables individual development, fulfillment and social inclusion of both individuals and communities. On the importance of education in addressing racial discrimination, DuBois point out that education is the primary means of not only mobility but of character development for Blacks (DuBois, 1930). He recognizes the importance of education saying that it can help and enable an individual to progress from working class to middle class. However, despite recognizing the need for a diverse education system, DuBois notes that even in the contemporary world today numerous segments of Black America continue to be constrained due to what can be termed as ‘sub-par educational system’.
This far I can conclude that “The souls of Black Folk” are metaphoric stories that connote the separation between Whites and Blacks in a racist society and the obstacles that the Blacks have to stumble through in their effort to gain self-consciousness. The prison the blacks are in prevents them from seeing themselves as they are and instead sees the negative stereotypes which the Whites have of the Blacks. The teachings in this narrative have considerable implication even in the contemporary world because help us to understand the burden and scope of prejudice. DuBois observations and findings can also be considered timeless because it helps us understand and have a keen insight into the socio-economic, religious and political problems of the day many of which continue to be concerns that plague society today.
References
Barnes, S (2003) “A Sociological Examination of W.E.B. Du Bois’ The Souls of Black Folk” The North Star, Vol. 6 №2
DuBois (1930) “The Souls of Black Folks” Available online at <http://www.wwnorton.com/college/history/give-me-liberty4/docs/WEBDuBois-Souls_of_Black_Folk-1903.pdf>
International Council on Human Rights Policy (2001) Racial and Economic exclusion — Policy Implications: Imprimerie ATAR, Switzerland. Available online from < http://www.ichrp.org/files/reports/23/113_report_en.pdf>
OECD (2004) ‘Education and Equity’, OECD Observer, Paris:
