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.