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.