The Souls of Black Folk

 

                In the early 1900’s an American sociologist, W.E.B Du Bois, examined the psyche of the Africans Americans of his time. It was his belief that African Americans were in a state of “double consciousness” as he states in his book The Souls of Black Folk. He describes it as a “sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity.” This view of the African American psychological state meant that African Americans identified with two cultures as being a part of them. They felt like they were Americans yet at the same time they also felt they were African. They identified with both cultures even though other people may have looked down upon it since being African American during the early 1900’s came with many restrictions. Often African Americans saw themselves through the eyes of others which further added to the conundrum of “Double consciousness”.  Du Bois argued that it was this state of mind that caused a struggle within African Americans. They wanted to find unity between both identities.

                Du Bois believed African Americans wanted to “merge his double self” so that they may become “better”. However, in the process of merging themselves they did not want to lose any part of either identity. According to Du Bois, African Americans felt “…America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the world.” After being taken from Africa and freed from slavery America was their new home. They valued the American way but also cherished their African roots. This way of though is what led to the internal struggle Du Bois called “ Double Consciousness”.