Marian Anderson Vs. W. E. B. Du Bois

Two of the many American influential figures of the Harlem Renaissance and Civil Rights

Movement are Marian Anderson and W. E. B. Du Bois. In contrasting ways, they each made a difference in their time. Here are reviews of two articles on Anderson and Du Bois respectively.

The first written by Terry Teachout discusses the professional career of Marian Anderson an

African American contralto. The second article written by Paul T. Miller explores the scholarly work of W. E. B. Du Bois a historian, author, activist and sociologist.

ANDERSON AND DU BOIS Page !3

Marian Anderson

The first article called The Soul of Marian Anderson was written by Terry Teachout. In this article Teachout explores the life and music of Marian Anderson, a Black American

Teachout thought that Anderson was in some ways restrained by her phlegmatic temperament that made her unsuited for more emotional opera. However, there were other areas that Anderson was especially suited to. In recently rereleased early recordings Teachout wrote, “It is possible to hear that she was a supremely gifted artist, blessed with a resplendent voice that she used with intelligence and sensitivity.” (2000, p. 1) Teachout discusses Anderson’s musical abilities based on recordings as well as reviews by music critics of the day. Teachout’s references and quotes

Anderson’s original sanctioned biographer Allan Keiler on details of her personal life. Teachout wrote that Anderson’s intense privacy and reserved manner was “a perfectly understandable response to the refusal of many whites to treat any black, however talented, with respect.” (2000,

p. 1) Because of this trait, Anderson underemphasized her role in the Civil Rights Movement, but

Teachout wrote that regardless of her apparent disinterest she became, “an icon of racial equality.” (2000, p. 1) Teachout does a nice job presenting a balanced view of Anderson

1) In addition, I believe that Anderson’s role in promoting equality of the races was invaluable regardless of her disregard of that aspect of her career. W. E. B. Du Bois

The second article written by Paul T. Miller is called W. E. B. Du Bois: education, race and economics from 1903-1961. In this article, Miller focuses on Du Bois’ scholarly work with a minimal discussion of his personal life. Miller wrote that Du Bois, was known primarily for his exploration of the race issue, but also for his passion for education and his ardent anti-capitalism in his later life. He boldly stated what he believed and became famous not only for his activism but also for his authorship including his most well-known book The Souls of Black Folk. Miller wrote, “By the beginning of the twentieth century, W. E. B. Du Bois was one of the preeminent public intellectuals of the world.” (2006, p. 1) Miller considered Du Bois both a brilliant sociologist and a historian who was a clear thinker on race, class, peace and justice issues.

Miller’s perspective also was that Du Bois’ thoughts on these topics are just as insightful today as they were a century ago. Miller came to these conclusions by closely examining Du