Du Bois and Washington: Identity Problems
DuBois, poised as a great social philosopher, explored different race-related problems encountered by African-Americans in the American culture. In his argument, of the social constructionism of the race problem, African-Americans face several issues, ranging from eco-cultural to social-political spheres. Dubois characterizes the identity problem as one of subjectively having double consciousness of self. He ontologically adduces that the question of identity is not only internally felt but also objectively experienced. DuBois argues that in a white-dominated society, African-Americans tend to intuitively have a feeling of two-ness based on their experience in the American culture due to the prevalent existing race-related problems.
. In his opinion, “double-consciousness” brings disparage and competing thoughts and ideas in the minds of African-Americans not only occasionally but also in a fixed, continuous form of consciousness resulting in low self-opinion. Consequently, he argues that the problem of the Negro identity is more of an inward struggle towards attaining one true self by merging the two consciousness. He views the identity problem as more of a cultural induced issue rather than a biological one, given the fact that it is only people of his origin who are majorly affected by it.
In the tenth chapter, he ostensibly alludes that due to double standards associated with being African-American, their identity, personality, and moral beliefs are negatively affected as they develop a hurting self-awareness. In turn, this may result in living a life marked by rebellion against radicalization and pretense towards the Americans as a result of self-denial and desire to find self. He points out the different social classes with the American culture and the pain African Americans have to go through because of viewing themselves through the lenses of the white Americans.
Contrary, on the other hand, Washington, in his argument, counterproductively postulates that for the progress of the African-American race, there is a need for re-adjusting and being subjective to the white Americans. Washington also argues that African-Americans should accept segregation along the racial-line as long they are provided with manual labor, which would guarantee their economic freedom. Washington opposes Dubois’s assertion that it is fundamentally crucial for African-Americans to be allowed to vote, have equal civil rights, and also the right to education, which they have lost due to their race. Washington argues that equality is achievable if African-Americans have technical training. Contrary, Du Bois holds that instead, African-Americans should have access to higher education to enjoy the benefit of civilization.
In DuBois’s conception, the self-perception of two un-reconcilable strivings results in two deeply seated tendencies hence leading to unhealthy and problematic existence of people of the black race in American culture. He puts forth the idea that African-Americans indeed have a valid identity, but it is only prevented from a full realization by prevailing existing circumstances. He intuitively challenges the isolation of African-Americans from participation in American culture and implies that they should be allowed to be coworkers with the whites. In essence, he proposes that instead of segregating African-Americans on the race-line, the two cultures should be fused to form a unique culture that is accommodating both races, which is opposed by Washington.
Washington’s philosophical analogy on the identity problem is a model of racial dignity which is characterized by economic freedom of African-Americans by working in the sub-formal sector, contrary, DuBois demands equality, recognition, and acceptance within the white community. While Washington advocated for appeasement and reconciliation of the whites, DuBois opined that the only way African-Americans could co-exist with the Americans would be if they have equal rights and opportunities without them being considered as a lesser race.
Works Cited
W.E.B. DuBois: The Souls of Black Folk (1903) – https://www.bartleby.com/114/ Booker T. Washington: Up From Slavery (1901) – http://pinkmonkey.com/dl/library1/slavery.pdf