On the Negro Problem

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Published 40 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du Bois details the struggle and strife that black Americans still endure. The ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments gave a glimmer of hope for racial equality, only to incur additional problems. Jim Crow laws and the ruling of Plessy vs. Ferguson nullified much of what the amendments stood for, and the struggle continued for black Americans. While racial discrimination limits many of the features of equality for blacks, Du Bois suggests that the Negro community, as a whole, plays a significant role in the fight for racial equality; the struggle is not based solely in politics, hence the ‘Negro Problem’ (12). Du Bois’ solution to the ‘Negro Problem’ contrasts with that of Booker T. Washington. I believe that Du Bois displays more forethought and development in his plans for education and enlightenment, rather than Washington’s strategy for economic and industrial dominance.

Even after the 13th amendment granting freedom to black Americans, Du Bois feels that there is still a certain ‘Negro Problem’ in America, especially in the South. In his chapters “Of the Black Belt” and “Of the Quest of the Golden Fleece”, Du Bois recounts the conditions and mentality of black folk living in densely populated Southern towns and areas, particularly Dougherty, Georgia. Throughout these chapters, Du Bois admits that part of the reason for poor living conditions was the lack of available laborers directly after the Emancipation (95), but, more importantly, Du Bois makes a social connection to the difficulties that Negroes are experiencing. Take, for example, the issue of poor living conditions of blacks in the South:
There are four chief cau...

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...ic and financial growth.

We can analyze the ‘Negro Problem’ in many different ways. We looked briefly at what Du Bois thought the ‘Negro Problem’ is and how Du Bois’ solution compares to that of Booker T. Washington’s ideas from his speech in Atlanta. I prefer Du Bois’ recommendations compared to Washington’s, especially concerning the aspect and role education plays in the fight for equality and the future success of Negroes in America. Even today, racism is still prevalent, but the ‘Negro Problem’ has definitely improved since the publishing of Souls, and I am convinced that through higher education, an understanding will come forth through whites and blacks on the meaning of equality.

Works Cited

Du Bois, W. E. B., Henry Louis Gates, and Terri Hume. Oliver. The Souls of Black Folk: Authoritative Text, Contexts, Criticism. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999. Print.

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