Question

1. In what ways does Du Bois criticize and in what ways does he seem to embrace the idea of inborn racial characteristics and abilities? 2. How does Du Bois appeal to both American and world history to bolster his claim to inclusion and equality for black Americans?

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

1. Du Bois embraces the idea and that innate racial characteristics and skills allow a group of individuals to prove their worth, managing to convey a meaningful message to the world. This message was able to show the unanimity and the search for similar goals that were shared in individuals with equal characteristics. For him, this was very positive, but he also found it very negative because he believed that these characteristics did not make individuals worthwhile, but promoted social progress meeting the needs of small groups at the expense of the needs of other groups.

2. For Du Bois, American and world history was established through the division of races, where privileged races were those to which blacks did not fit. This meant that blacks did not recognize themselves as members of a group and did not have enough knowledge to unite for the benefit of society, as white people have done since the beginning of time. However, with the evolution of this society, he believes that blacks should have the opportunity to participate in the creation of progress, showing the world its existence, anxieties and demands that must be heard and recognized by privileged groups, thus generating inclusion and equality within society.