The problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color line—the relation of the darker to the lighter races of men in Asia and Africa, in America and the islands of the sea.

(Du Bois 1903/1989:13)

The Philadelphia Negro (1899)

The Souls of Black Folk (1903)

The Souls of White Folk (1920)

By age 16, Du Bois formulated basic premise of his social & political philosophy:

Black Americans must organize

as a race-conscious bloc to win & exercise freedom

First black graduate in his high school

Four liberal white men took

interest in Du Bois•Paid for his college education

Community leaders (including Du Bois’ high school principal & several prominent pastors) decided that Du Bois should attend Fisk University•Historically black school in Nashville, TN

Du Bois chose Harvard

The Souls of Black Folk, published in 1903

Most famous book

One of the most important books on race and class written in U. S.

From the 1940s until his death in 1963

Du Bois wrote eloquently and provocatively about

The twin evils of colonialism and imperialism

Black parents: Reinforce the value of formal education

Black Church: Combat social corruption and moral decay

The Talented Tenth Burden for winning freedom and justice for African Americans

Best prepared, educationally and economically

Motivation for creation of racial differences was

economic:

• Racial discrimination preceded prejudice

• Prejudice was created to justify the treatment

Political domination of one country by another (Ex. Britain, France, Portugal,

Germany) Created racism to justify

colonialism & exploitation

Creating an inferior race justified their treatment to create profits

• Colonizing nations used strategy of “divide and conquer”

• Encouraged hatred between groups

•Moslems & Hindus•Arabs & Jews•Protestants & Catholics

Super Capital=Economic & political control by big business

“Big Business” should have the power created by capitalism

Developed during 1870s in U.S.

Good: Increased production & distribution of goods & services

Bad: Created opportunities for more selfishness & corruption

“Imperialism" = The process whereby the dominant politico-economic interests of one nation

Take for their own enrichment

The land, labor, raw materials, and markets of another people• Africa, Asia, Latin America

War is central to imperialist capitalism

Profit from war

Profit from the preparation for war

Basic element in social organization

Societies based on certain group’s oppression of other groups

3 main responses by the oppressed to oppression

1. Feelings of revolt & revenge

2. Attempts to adjust

3. Attempts at self-development

“Manure theory of social organization”

Belief that lower classes only capable of most inhuman & inhumane work

“Manure Theory” foundation of a Theory of Exclusion

“Progress” based on excluding more & more people from benefits of culture

Result: Only a few remain at top

• Changeable

• Not inherently good or bad

• Most prejudices are learned & can be changed

• Change comes through reason & education

A planned economy Elected democratic government

People serve the state State also serves the people

Major Themes of Modern Social Life•Race & Racism

•Gender & Sexism

•Democracy

•Equality