W.E.B. DuBois

1. Why are African-Americans supposed to be more sensitive to the gap between our inner essence and external appearance?
Years and years of racism contributed to insecurities and the question of self worth of African Americans. Dubois believed that African Americans always look at themselves through the eyes of others.

2. Why does DuBois say the history of whites and blacks are inseparable?
Dubois believed that historically and socially the two were inseparable because one could not exist without the other. DuBois believed in order to attain the American dream African Americans had to assimilate to European norms. Consequently, the racial domination contributes to building a nation.

3. Why is the color line the most pressing problem of the 20th century according to DuBois?
“According to DuBois, this veil is worn by all African-Americans because their view of the world and its possible economic, political, and social opportunities is so hugely different from the White people. The veil is a visual manifestation of the color line. Slavery was being practiced at this time. Part of this problem caused the Civil War. Most African Americans consider it both a blessing and a curse. DuBois refers to it as a gift of second sight according to Wikipedia.”

4. Why is the South considered a ‘marginal region’?
The South has a tendency to be unstable and resistant to change. The south is reluctant to change and oppression runs deep. White Supremacy warrants them to set their own standard of rules and regulations.

5. How do low wages damage the work ethic?
It undermines and demeans minorities. It causes poverty and inhibits change. It may also have an impact on work ethics. It force people to toil long hours for little or nothing which effects the family socially.

6. Why is the church as an institution so important in African-American communities?
The church play a major role in African American family because it was a refuge during times of slavery. In fact, they have long been the centers of communities, serving as school sites in the early years after the Civil War, taking up social welfare functions, such as providing for the indigent, and going on to establish schools, orphanages and prison ministries. As a result, black churches have fostered, built strong community organizations and provided spiritual and political leadership, especially during the civil rights movement. Churches are significant to most family’s way of life and it comes before everything else. In contrast to this, the church a person is affiliated with often identifies who they are. However, DuBois was a free thinker and he felt that the church constricted free thinking. He also, felt the church didn’t support equality because religion could not be taught in school.

7. What is fatalism?
Fatalism is when everything is determined by fate.

8. How is fatalism associated with sensualism?
Sensualism involves the process of excessive pursuit of sensual pleasures and interests. This is associated with fatalism because the pursuit of pleasure or interest could determine your fate. For example, You want to get married so you pursue a mate of your liking and eventually that pursuit will lead to marriage.

9) How are themes of emancipation used in the Bible?
The biblical book of Exodus is an example of emancipation because the Jews were held captive for many years by the Egyptians then they were freed with the help of God. This corresponds with our diligient activists and presidents who emancipated the slaves out of captivity.