W.E.B. DuBois

1.      Why are African Americans supposed to be more sensitive to the gap between our inner essence and external appearance?

African Americans are supposed to have this sensitivity between the two due to DuBois concept of “Double Consciousness,” there is indeed a greater tension between their own self image and societies image of themselves, hence the sensitive attitude towards the two.

2.      Why does DuBois say the history of whites and blacks are inseparable?

DuBois implies this because the shared country has always been with these two races; they have a shared country which generations after another have been occupied by them. They have participated in everything good as well as bad together. The question that arises is if America would have been America with either of them in the country.

3.      Why is the ‘color line’ the most pressing problem of the 20^th century according to DuBois?

It is essential to the understanding of imperialism, the separation of races arises. Therefore the beginning of it all, that in time it only seemed to worsen instead of getting better.

4.      Why is the south considered a ‘marginal region’?

This is due to the laws of segregation, which were passed in the south opposed to the North. This led to the industrialization, poor work environment with slavery, therefore wages were lowered and ethics disappeared. Many traveled to North for a better chance at life.

5.      How do low wages damage the work ethics?

Low wages in comparison to ethics has a great influence during this time. The fact that these wages were lowered caused immense poverty and even more prejudice. The racism against the two races increased, and conflicts based on how the work should be done in comparison to the respect that they were given.

6.      Why is the church as an institution so important in African American Communities?

This institution is the Central institution for African American communities; family is created by the church. Even so that the church is in place before the family, most families were associated with a religious affiliation, just based on their last name. The institution was of great importance because, this was something that was always practiced freely, regardless of the segregation religious belief was always allowed, hence their church as a institution.

7.      What is fatalism?

Fatalism is the doctrine that all events are predicament by fate and therefore unalterable.

8.      How is fatalism associated with sensualism?

Sensualisms being the worlds of the flesh, corruption, depravity, the world of temptation, how can this associate with fate.  Well DuBois says this to be true, I believe that if one is involved in these acts of sensualism, is destined by fatalism and cannot be changed. Since fatalism is a predicament and can’t be altered.

9.      How are themes of emancipation used in the Bible?

I believe it has to do with the laws of history, started when the Jews left Egypt, therefore Jesus served as their emancipator.

Dissent of the Pennsylvania Minority (1787)

“We dissent, first because it is the opinion of the most celebrated writers on government, and confirmed by uniform experiences, that a very extensive territory cannot be governed on the principles of freedom, otherwise than by a confederation of republics, processing all the powers of internal government, but united in the management of their general and foreign concerns.”

In this quote they are going against what the constitution was about. They disagreed because they did not believe in the popular opinion of the writers of government. They did not agree with the idea of freedom that a country this big with an extensive government cannot be ruled with the principles of freedom. This article became a declaration against the constitution from the federalist.

I choose this quote because; it seems that the ratification against the constitution pointed for an outcome towards the future. It has been extremely hard to govern this land with complete freedom. Freedom is taken from so many in so many different levels, and the ones doing this are that ones that are suppose to bring the citizens with it. Although many in government want to do the right things for the citizens, those who abuse power overshadow these.

"Speech on Race: A More Perfect Union (March 08,2008) Barack Obama

“This is where we are right now. It’s a racial stalemate we’ve been stuck in for years. Contrary to the claims of some of my critics, black and white, I have never been so naïve as to believe that we can get beyond our racial divisions in a single election cycle, or with a single candidacy—particularly a candidacy as imperfect as my own. But I have asserted a firm conviction—a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people—that, working together, we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice if we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union.”

President Obama is trying to express to the nation his intake on race, which it is an issue that Americans have been dealing with for many years and that they seem to be stuck on one view. He believes that the country can change their outlook, regardless of what his critics may think. He is going to try and do this within his candidacy, as he mentions one that is beyond perfect. He believes he can do this, his faith in God and his faith in the American people will allow him to do so. He believes that working together as Americans we can move beyond this division and form a perfect union.

I choose this quote because I admire President Obama’s outlook. His faith leads him to believe in the purity of Americans. That they all have the ability to change and that he will try to bring out that ability. I enjoyed the whole speech as he speaks the truth and is passionate about what he speaks. There aren’t many politicians capable of speaking the truth, and speaking about race to them would bring controversy, the fact that the Head of State is able to open up to his country and ask for this union and an effort to set aside the divisions is something that every American should take into consideration. This affects all of us; therefore we should all cooperate in the change that President Obama is trying to bring.

"The Meaning of Democracy" Woodrow Wilson 1912

“I know that the government of the United States is not a free instrument, and that it is our duty to set it free. Very well, set it free from whom? And how set it free? … I have always been impatient of the talk of abstract propositions. That may seem a strange statement to be made by a man whose opponents whenever they can’t answer his arguments call him “academic,” but I have always been opposed to the mere presentation to audiences of the abstract conceptions of government. Of course, this was intended to be a government of free citizens and of equal opportunity, but how are we going to make it such?”

I believe Woodrow Wilson was trying to explain that it is up to those who work in government to make everything free and better for society. He is against unusual aspects of government and has wanted things to be kept simple. The government was intended to be of free citizens and that all opportunities should be equally distributed. His question was how was all this going to be done. He was a big believer of democracy; he wanted cities and laws to remain the same. He wanted equal opportunities.

I choose this quote, because Wilson understood the true meaning of Democracy. The fact that he wanted equal opportunity and a government of free citizens is the meaning of true democracy. The issue was how he was going to make it happen; well I believe that till this day it has not been figured out. There are many flaws, that take away opportunities and for citizens to feel free.

"Wealth" 1889 Andrew Carnegie

 “In the commercial world similar causes have produced similar results, and the race is benefited thereby. The poor enjoy what the rich could not afford. What were the luxuries have become the necessaries of life. The laborer has now more comforts than the landlord had a few generations ago.”

Andrew Carnegie when writing this essay was trying to have those people then understand the societies need help from the rich. The money given by the rich to the poor needed to have a certain direction and the wealthy needed to make sure that the money they were distributing should go exactly where it was needed. The money distributed should reach the communities in a way that would benefit those who should be receiving it; the government should not be involved, as they were not to be trusted. Carnegie believed in taxing the rich when they died, in order to benefit the poor, instead of it being left to their heirs who already were wealthy, they should use it to better the communities. The quote is simply saying that back then there was a boom in the society, that allowed the poor to enjoy as much as what the rich could, that the things that were once a luxury became a necessity. Generations have changed there for so had comfort levels, and now laborers where prospering.

I can relate this quote to society today, then the economy seemed to be well, in today’s economy things are very complex. The rich are still the ones with the power and all the wealth, and unlike then they do not share with the communities. There for the poor can barely afford the necessities, never mind being able to obtain any luxuries. There is very little comfort and the labors remain such. There has been a shift, where the wealth is obtain by very few in this American society. The essay, talks about distribution, maybe that should be implemented in today’s society and, not saying it would fix the problem, but maybe it can bring about some change.  

Abraham Lincoln: The Gettysburg Address (1863)

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war; testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate --- we can not consecrate --- we can not hallow --- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here … that we here highly resolve that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of Freedom --- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

President Abraham Lincoln is addressing the nation in this speech, during the Civil War, expressing the battle of the soldiers. He is asking the nation that they should remember everything that has been done, to claim freedom. The President is preaching that these young men have given their lives for the nation. He mentions the Declaration of Independence, with the regards of equality, that all men are created equal in the new nation. Lincoln with this speech is explaining that the war was for freedom, which would bring equality, as he mentions towards the end, that government of the people should be by the people, for the people and that it would always be as such.

I choose this quote because it seems that every president, and its government starts off the right way, they use the Declaration of Independence as there lead into equality and all men are created equal, yet somehow it falls under rather quickly giving the advantage to few rather that to the people of the nation. I do like the fact that he asks the nation to remember those fallen soldiers, which should always be mentioned, because they have given their lives to defend this nation, just as recent years, even without reasonable cause. It’s just sad to see that government does not follow that simple order Lincoln spoke about at the end, the government of people those rightfully chosen, by the people, for the people the nation. If they would think about the benefit of the whole nation rather that a portion, the nation would be a better place.

Henry David Thoreau: "Civil Disobedience" (1848)

“For my own part, I should not like to think that I ever rely on the protection of the State. But, if I deny the authority of the State when in presents its tax-bill, it will soon take and waste all my property, and so harass me and my children without end. This is hard. This makes it impossible for a man to live honestly, and at the same time comfortably, in outward respect.”

I believe that Henry David Thoreau is stating that he can without a doubt say that he cannot ever rely on the protection of the State, but that if he was ever to wrong the State it being by tax-bill or in any sort of way they will punish you. In other words government is quick to punish those who break the law, yet take too long to bring help to the citizens and that is if they even get to bring the help at all. When referring to the tax-bill, he states that they will harass him, and if he was not to be around the State will go as far as harassing his children. There for stating that how is anyone suppose to live an honest life, while still being comfortable and have respect.

I choose this quote, because in a way it still rings as true in society today. Government will quickly judge those who break the law, at times without even giving the individual the right to defend themselves. Yet they don’t react with the same sense of urgency when a citizen is in need of help. To the extent of children being harassed can also be applied to society today, there are exceptions, but there are circumstances where family member will be bothered on behalf of another individual. It does make it impossible for a man to live honestly, and at the same time comfortably, in outward respect. There is always a contradiction with both, one wants to live honestly and with respect, yet the laws, those unfortunate individuals, lead those with comfortable life to question themselves, and at time feel ashamed of their comfort ability. In this society this will always be true, there will always be those who live comfortable and honest and feel as if they are leaving the rest of the society, but they will try to help the rest. As there will be those who live comfortable and be proud they achieved that status, believing that the rest of the population is able to do the same thing.