To add to our discussion about World War I, and as a way to conextualize the portion we are reading from Darkwater (1920), I offer this introduction to the life and times of W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963).
The University of Massachusetts-Amherts contains the largest collection of Du Bois's papers, and hosts an on-line repository with tons of pictures and a large number of documents. In fact, the Afro-American studies department at UMass-Amherst takes it name from Du Bois. Here's another collection of things Du Bois (click on the animated map--a cool feature of the site), and a short summary of his early life in Great Barrington.
Here's a report about the history of Du Bois's Encyclopedia Africana project, another project related to Du Bois's encyclopedia idea, and some pictures from Du Bois landmarks in Ghana.
I mentioned in the Du Bois lecture that he spent time studying in Germany, an obvious connection with AP Euro. Read some thoughts about that here. Read this interesting exchange between two scholars about Du Bois's posture toward Joseph Stalin.
There's the W.E.B. Du Bois Virtual University, Professor Robert Williams's fabulous repository of Du Bois resources, the resources page at the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at UMass-Amherst, Dr. Steven Hale's Du Bois on-line selections, resources from the Documenting the American South project, the Perspectives in American Literature (PAL) page, the reading room at Harvard's Du Bois Institute, documents from the FBI files of Du Bois (though redacted), Du Bois's New York Times featured author page (subscription required), the e-project at the University of Virginia Library (scroll down for Du Bois), and in other various places Paul Harvey points out.
Another interesting site comes from Dr. Richard Rath, a historian who does sensory history among other things, teaches at the U. of Hawaii and with some students developed a kind of soundtrack to Souls of Black Folk. It is amazingly cool, and a helpful resource in teaching. Check it out here.
Other on-line readings from Du Bois include Darkwater (1920) which includes an interesting story titled “Jesus Christ in Texas.” Du Bois's “A Litany at Atlanta” is a psalm of lament written in response to the 1906 Atlanta riot that we talked about in class. Another interesting piece from Darkwater is "The Souls of White Folk" with clear references to World War I, among other things.
In 2007 two bloggers interviewed Edward J. Blum, a scholar of W.E.B. Du Bois who published an important book titled W.E.B. Du Bois, American Prophet. (Be sure to read the customer reviews of Ed's book, as well as this recent review.) You will learn more about Du Bois, of course, but also tons about how historians tells stories about the past, and how professors and teachers teach history. Read one interview here, and the other 7-part conversation below.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
There's the W.E.B. Du Bois Virtual University, Professor Robert Williams's fabulous repository of Du Bois resources, the resources page at the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at UMass-Amherst, Dr. Steven Hale's Du Bois on-line selections, resources from the Documenting the American South project, the Perspectives in American Literature (PAL) page, the reading room at Harvard's Du Bois Institute, documents from the FBI files of Du Bois (though redacted), Du Bois's New York Times featured author page (subscription required), the e-project at the University of Virginia Library (scroll down for Du Bois), and in other various places Paul Harvey points out.
Another interesting site comes from Dr. Richard Rath, a historian who does sensory history among other things, teaches at the U. of Hawaii and with some students developed a kind of soundtrack to Souls of Black Folk. It is amazingly cool, and a helpful resource in teaching. Check it out here.
Other on-line readings from Du Bois include Darkwater (1920) which includes an interesting story titled “Jesus Christ in Texas.” Du Bois's “A Litany at Atlanta” is a psalm of lament written in response to the 1906 Atlanta riot that we talked about in class. Another interesting piece from Darkwater is "The Souls of White Folk" with clear references to World War I, among other things.
In 2007 two bloggers interviewed Edward J. Blum, a scholar of W.E.B. Du Bois who published an important book titled W.E.B. Du Bois, American Prophet. (Be sure to read the customer reviews of Ed's book, as well as this recent review.) You will learn more about Du Bois, of course, but also tons about how historians tells stories about the past, and how professors and teachers teach history. Read one interview here, and the other 7-part conversation below.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Ed has also written a few things for the University of Pennsylvania Press blog. Here's a piece about how Du Bois might respond to several contemporary high-profile atheists--interestingly enough a charge leveled many times over at Du Bois himself. Here's an editorial wherein Blum offers political advice to Barak Obama and the Democratic Party via the work of Du Bois. Finally, here's an entry celebrating Du Bois's birthday.
And speaking of birthdays.....since mine is coming up (as is Du Bois's on Feb. 23), I can't help but mention two interesting gift ideas-- I mean teaching aids: a W.E.B. Du Bois doll (seriously), and a Du Bois t-shirt.
[Photo credit here.]
Posts
11 comments:
Du Bois had a very interesting life. It is incredible to look at the adversity he faced early in life not only for being black in a time where lynching and hate crimes were at its peak but also his personal life with his mother's death and father's absence as well. He used his hardships as a gateway and through it made himself better instead of giving up. He changed the world and made way for integration in the modern world between classes. To have greatly influenced the Harlem rennaisance in his life is one of his greatest achievements. He is certainly inspiring. His quote "the only possible death is to lose belif. . ." is just as relevant today as it was when written during Du Bois' lifetime. It an excellent quote to live by.
His studies, works and travels are amazing as he travelled throughout the world teaching what he believed in.
By the way the unemployed philosophers guild website is one of my favorite websites and ive ordered stuff from there in the past :)!
Du Bois appears to be a high-energy, brilliant man who was terribly frustrated and somewhat warped by the lack of intellectual and professional respect afforded him by the dominant white society. W. E. B. Du Bois despised white supremacy, economic exploitation, and European and American colonialism. The pillaging and partitioning of Africa angered him to no end, especially since they were legitimated by the erasure of Africa and its peoples from the authorized histories of the world. "[T]here has been consistent effort," he wrote in The World and Africa in 1946, "to rationalize Negro slavery by omitting Africa from world history." Although consumed with equal rights and opportunity for Blacks, his larger vision was of a world in which all persons could progress as far as their unique knowledge, ability and efforts would permit. Intellectual and largely inward directed Du Bois utilized scholarship and the written word to advance his ideas and to secure a place of leadership in the Civil Rights movement of his day.
-Caroline diNges
Wow, I am very impressed with Du Bois. I had heard of him previously and knew a bit about him, but had never truly studied him. Du Bois' life just goes to show that one can overcome any sorts of hurdles and prejudices to make a difference if he truly believes in it. Du Bois didn't have it easy, yet his impact is deeper than we can imagine. Additionally, the Harlem Renaissance is one of my favorite periods of American culture and I think it is so neat that he had such an influence on it. I am so envious of Du Bois' global travels and hope to someday study the world by experiencing all of it firsthand.
Your birthday is not until April, correct? Just making sure. :)
Du Bois seems like a very interesting and dynamic character. His frustration with the plight of African Americans is notable in that it bolstered his determination to keep forging on. I like the fact that he traveled all over the world and has influenced the world today through his desire to create a world where everyone was equal and received the same rights and education. The impact he had on the Harlem Renaissance is amazing. Du Bois, essentially, changed the fate of African Americans and altered the legacy of discrimination and the adversity of the African Americans in the United States, as well as, the world.
As previously established, Du Bois is an infinitely fascinating character in history. His academic diversity and intellectual brilliance are apparent whether reading his books or his biography. Ultimately, he is a pivotal figure regardless of the context within which one studies him.
W.E.B. Du Bois, a leader, writer, scholar, dedicated his entire life to Black nationalism and of course Africa. He wanted to know the truth about his people; thus, during the last years of his life, he purposefully exiled himself in Ghana, Africa where he could gain first hand experience about his own people. In addition, to discovering his ancestral past, Du Bois devoted himself to the study of the black man. He knew previous scholars and historians had not touched on the black race so he felt a deep desire to fill this void. With a PhD from Harvard, he determined to use his resources to fight the economic and social problems that faced his people. Overall his efforts were not in vain and his concern about race problems were felt not only in America but also in Africa and Europe.
W.E.B. Du Bois was truly a leader. From the early stages of his life he knew that he was both different and special. He founded the Niagara Movement and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as a response to the repressive segregation laws and the increase in terror. He left America and became a citizen of Ghana in 1961 as a resolution to conflicts that he had faced in his life. Du Bois had a vision for a better world. –Meagan Smith
The Harlem Rennaissance is one of the most underrated and interesting times of history, and Du Bois played an integral part in it. His words are still relevant today, and the reputation he was able to build in spite of his circumstances was terribly impressive. The segregation and issues that faced all African Americans in this racist time period still affected Du Bois with his mother's death and other instances, and the fact that he was able to establish himself as a dominant presence in the black community shows his integrity, character, and intelligence. His ideas on religion shape modern opinion, and though many are still in the dark about his opinions, they are worth being noted and quoted and understood by all people. He is truly a reformer and an enthusiastic person of great intellect.
Du Bois undoubtedly exists as one of the most rich and fascinating figures of the 20th century. The knowledge that he accrued through his observations and extensive travels allowed him to emerge as such a pivotal opponent to racism and segregation. His influence on the black community as well as all of society is seen primarily through his formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored, although his beliefs and practices did also have a profound effect on the Harlem Ren. Placing grat importance on education, Du Bois was able to overcome extreme hardship in order to achieve his goals. It is imperative that we continue to strive to acknowledge and implement his ideas, beliefs, and values in modern society.
I had never really studied W.E.B. Du Bois, but his post really opened my eyes to his brilliance and perseverance. Although he faced very great trials and tribulations, he kept on working hard and would not let race get in his way. For example, he attended school in the deep south after his mother's death and still managed to make great accomplishments. Also, I think the imprint Du Bois had on the Harlem Rennaisance is extroridinary. Lastly, I really enjoyed the site with all the music and lyrics on it. It is amazing that such beautiful songs and poetry were created during such oppression. The website offered a chance to hear how slavery personally affected people's souls.
Happy Early Birthday!! You deserver all the Du Bois shirts and dolls you can find! :)
Post a Comment