The Souls of Black Folk'The problem of the twentieth-century is the problem of the color-line.' Originally published in 1903, The Souls of Black Folk is a classic study of race, culture, and education at the turn of the twentieth century. With its singular combination of essays, memoir, and fiction, this book vaulted W. E. B. Du Bois to the forefront of American political commentary and civil rights activism. The Souls of Black Folk is an impassioned, at times searing account of the situation of African Americans in the United States. Du Bois makes a forceful case for the access of African Americans to higher education, memorably extols the achievements of black culture (above all the spirituals or 'sorrow songs'), and advances the provocative and influential argument that due to the inequalities and pressures of the 'race problem', African American identity is characterized by 'double consciousness'. This edition includes a valuable appendix of other writing by Du Bois, which sheds light on his attitudes and intentions. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. |
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abolitionist acres African American Alexander Crummell American Negro amid Atlanta University better Black Belt black boy blood Bois's Booker born brown cabins cent century Chapter civilization college-bred color color-line common schools cotton crime crop culture dark Dawn dollars Dougherty County economic Emancipation eyes face farm father Fisk Fisk University freedmen Freedmen’s Bureau freedom Georgia graduates half hands heart higher Hippomenes human hundred ideals ignorance institutions John Josie laborers land leaders living looked mass millions mother nation Negro church Negro colleges Negro problem Negro spiritual North plantation political prejudice race Sam Hose seemed shadow slave slavery social Sorrow Songs Souls of Black South Southern striving Talented Tenth teach teachers tenant things thought thousand to-day toil town Veil voice W. E. B. Du Bois Washington wonder York