The Souls of Black Folk

This collection of essays by scholar-activist W. E. B. Du Bois is a masterpiece in the African American canon. Du Bois, arguably the most influential African American leader of the early twentieth century, offers insightful commentary on black history, racism, and the struggles of black Americans following emancipation. In his groundbreaking work, the author presciently writes that “the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line,” and offers powerful arguments for the absolute necessity of moral, social, political, and economic equality. These essays on the black experience in America range from sociological studies of the African American community to illuminating discourses on religion and “Negro music,” and remain essential reading in our so-called “post racial age.” A new introduction by Jonathan Holloway explores Du Bois’s signature accomplishments while helping readers to better understand his writings in the context of his time as well as ours. This Collection Of Essays By Scholar-activist W. E. B. Du Bois Is A Masterpiece In The African American Canon. Du Bois, Arguably The Most Influential African American Leader Of The Early Twentieth Century, Offers Insightful Commentary On Black History, Racism, And The Struggles Of Black Americans Following Emancipation. In His Groundbreaking Work, The Author Presciently Writes That The Problem Of The Twentieth Century Is The Problem Of The Color Line, And Offers Powerful Arguments For The Absolute Necessity Of Moral, Social, Political, And Economic Equality. These Essays On The Black Experience In America Range From Sociological Studies Of The African American Community To Illuminating Discourses On Religion And Negro Music, And Remain Essential Reading In Our So-called Post-racial Age. A New Introduction By Jonathan Scott Holloway Explores Du Bois's Signature Accomplishments While Helping Readers To Better Understand His Writings In The Context Of His Time As Well As Ours. W.e.b. Du Bois ; With An Introduction And Chronology By Jonathan Scott Holloway. Includes Bibliographical References. Cover 1 Contents 8 Introduction: How to Read The Souls of Black Folk in a Post-Racial Age 10 Chronology 34 THE SOULS OF BLACK FOLK 39 The Forethought 40 I. Of Our Spiritual Strivings 42 II. Of the Dawn of Freedom 51 III. Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others 72 IV. Of the Meaning of Progress 86 V. Of the Wings of Atalanta 97 VI. Of the Training of Black Men 107 VII. Of the Black Belt 123 VIII. Of the Quest of the Golden Fleece 141 IX. Of the Sons of Master and Man 162 X. Of the Faith of the Fathers 181 XI. Of the Passing of the First-Born 195 XII. Of Alexander Crummell 201 XIII. Of the Coming of John 211 XIV. The Sorrow Songs 227 The Afterthought 239 Acknowledgments 240 Du Bois' 1903 collection of essays is a thoughtful, articulate exploration of the moral and intellectual issues surrounding the perception of blacks within American society. BETWEEN me and the other world there is ever an unasked question: unasked by some through feelings of delicacy; by others through the difficulty of rightly framing it.