Web Du Bois and Double Consciousness

W. E. B. Du Bois iterate-Consciousness Ashanti Johnson SOC101 Lestine Shedrick October 18, 2011 W. E. B. Du Bois (1968-1963) was a huge contributor to sociology finished with(predicate) the look and experience of an Afro-American bookman (Vissing, 2011). Du Bois was an author, activist and student of subdued sociology. In his 1897 article, Strivings of the Negro People, Du Bois introduced the term double- assuredness, a concept I believe to be just as relevant in todays black communities. Double consciousness refers to what Du Bois considered an absence of true up egotism consciousness (Du Bois, 1897) amongst Africans in America.In pop of that absence, lies a dual cognizance- awargonness of ones egotism combined with an awargonness of how others perceive you. Is world an American a contradiction to pitch-dark identity, tied(p) in contemporary social club? In his 1903 book, The Souls of Black Folk, Du /bois gives an analysis of blacks and double-consciousness, that B lack hoi polloi atomic number 18 caught between separate self conceptions, as an American and as an African. The pitch blackness ever looking ats his 2-ness, an American, a blackness, two souls, two warring ideals and one dark remains whose dogged strength limits it from cosmos bust asunder (Du Bois, 1903).Du Bois broke his concept of double-consciousness bulge out into three manifestations First, the power of White stereotypes on Black life and thought. Second, racism and the exclusion of Black Americans from mainstream American rules of order. Lastly, Du Bois points out the intragroup infringe between being of African descent and being an American. What is the power and warp of White stereotypes on the everyday alive(p)s of African-Americans today, in the 21st century? We live in a society that, many could argue, is concentrated with Black culture. Commercial television, film and radio receiver are largely influenced by African-American language, imagery and euph ony.Examples of what used to be considered African-American youth vernacular, have seeped into mainstream culture. Words and phrases such(prenominal) as bling and you go boy are not Black slang, but American slang. The continued commercial inclusion of African-American images, language and music, does not eliminate double-consciousness- it may, in fact, magnify it. The stereotypes and images of Black people in America have evolved since Du Bois coined his term in 1897, but even the ever-changing sagacity of Black culture leaves most African-Americans detain in a conflict of who they are versus who they are believed to be in the eyes of America.On one hand, Africans are ascribe with inventing many genres of sound, dance, art and athletic styles. Although there are many groundbreaking contributions in math, medicine and science, Africans are not normal for these attributes. Because of this, many African-American parents keep their children from concentrating on such areas of stre ngth as dance, music or sports in order to keep them away from a stereotypical line of business of study. Double-consciousness will have a intelligent athlete fore-go a sports career so that they are not considered just another(prenominal) b any player.When we think of Black Americans being excluded from mainstream American society, we consider the generations prima(p) to the civil correctlys movement. at present, our President is an African-American, so for certain this issue is no longer relevant. racial discrimination cannot flourish in contemporary America, right? According to Merriam Websters Dictionary, racism is a belief that some races are by nature superior to others and the discrimination found on such beliefs (Webster, 2011).We now live in an anti-racism society. It is frowned upon to act or answer in any way that could be construed as racist. Our society has laws in office staff which make racist actions in the workplace, domesticate or even in public- illegal . The conflict of double-consciousness still exists in this modern, anti-racist America. Perhaps even more frustrating for todays African-American, is living with the reality of racial tensity in a society refusing to remove that such tension still exists.Du Bois intercommunicate of internal conflict as being the most significant manifestation of double-consciousness. there is an inner conflict between being of both American and African lineage. African-Americans are a special group of immigrants who did not choose America as their unused home. It was striverry that brought the African to America for generations of force labor. The knowledge that most of the African culture, language, write up and experience, was lost to American Africans after the slave trade, helps fuel the inner conflict.Where should the African-American feel his strongest connection? Africa? America? In conclusion, double-consciousness impacts the African-American today just as it did in the early 1900s. W. E. B. Du Bois described his concept as a world which yields no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world (Du Bois, 1903). Todays politically correct society tends to use the word color ruse, intended to show an acceptance for all people, regardless of race or color.Today, the double-conscious African-American must continue the search for his conscious identity in a society which has gone from color-racist to color-blind in a matter of a few decades. References Du Bois, W. E. B. (1897, August). Strivings of the negro people. The Atlantic, Du Bois, W. E. B. (1903). The souls of black folk. Chicago McClurg and Company. racism. 2011. In Merriam-Webster. com. Retrieved October 18, 2011, from http//www. merriam-webster. com/ lexicon/racism Vissing, Y. (2011). An introduction to sociology. San Diego, CA Bridgepoint pedagogics