Color and Democracy

by W.E.B. Du Bois

This book weaves into the fabric of a world peace founded on democracy several seemingly separate problems. The first is that of the various colonies and their colored peoples; then come the problems of foreign investment for profit; the question of the expansion of democratic government for the masses of men; the role of Russia and her ideology in the post-war world, and the feasibility of world government through mandates and missions. Out of the solution of these problems Dr. DuBois believes will come the only trustworthy foundation on which permanent peace can be built. W.W. Burghardt DuBois is the recognized leader of the school of Negro thought which favors contending for complete equality of opportunity, as opposed to the conciliatory policy advanced by Booker T. Washington and Robert L. Moton. During the Versailles Peace Conference he called the first International Congress of Colored People. Color and Democracy, which quite logically scrutinizes post-war plans from the point of view of the colored races, presents a ringing challenge to the Dumbarton Oaks Conference.

Genres: History, Race

143 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1975

About the author

In 1868, William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (pronounced 'doo-boyz') was born in Massachusetts. He attended Fisk College in Nashville, then earned his BA in 1890 and his MS in 1891 from Harvard. Du Bois studied at the University of Berlin, then earned his doctorate in history from Harvard in 1894. He taught economics and history at Atlanta University from 1897-1910. The Souls of Black Folk (1903) made his name, in which he urged black Americans to stand up for their educational and economic rights. Du Bois was a founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and edited the NAACP's official journal, "Crisis," from 1910 to 1934. Du Bois turned "Crisis" into the foremost black literary journal. The black nationalist expanded his interests to global concerns, and is called the "father of Pan-Africanism" for organizing international black congresses.

Although he used some religious metaphor and expressions in some of his books and writings, Du Bois called himself a freethinker. In "On Christianity," a posthumously published essay, Du Bois critiqued the black church: "The theology of the average colored church is basing itself far too much upon 'Hell and Damnation'—upon an attempt to scare people into being decent and threatening them with the terrors of death and punishment. We are still trained to believe a good deal that is simply childish in theology. The outward and visible punishment of every wrong deed that men do, the repeated declaration that anything can be gotten by anyone at any time by prayer." Du Bois became a member of the Communist Party and officially repudiated his U.S. citizenship at the end of his life, dying in his adopted country of Ghana. D. 1963.

More: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stori...

http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~sww/0his...

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/dub...

Reviews

[Anneke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great work of postcolonial literature. Du Bois very eloquently and succinctly explains the arc of modern colonialism and imperialism through the mid 20th c, following the Dumbarton Oaks Conference. This book feels as relevant as ever and it helps that he continues to frame the same issues through different lenses (eg economy, political representation, slums, education, missionaries, race science, morality and faith). Many of his predictions have come true, especially regarding the ways the UN has continued to act as a colonizing body and how the foundation of an Israeli state is necessarily violent and colonial. The charts within this book were extremely helpful for statistically understanding the context in which he was writing. His description of colonies existing as “global slums” (rather than municipal slums) is something that will stick with me. He also argues that colonialism and imperialism are the larger emergent evil to be aware of and combat when compared to fascism, although they share many qualities. This I also found interesting.

I was surprised by his great fondness of Russia although also not entirely. Read this for a class abt the intersection between Asian American and Black American literature/culture/thinkers. It’s very intriguing to me how much Du Bois was looking toward Asia in his thought and philosophy that was to be brought back to American soil. He seems to be very hopeful about the future of Russia and to deplore the behavior of Japan, as it was at that point impersonating the imperialism of European nations. Sometimes he is Orientalizing in language. I can’t tell how I feel about it.

[Dhira Dharmakusuma · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's fascinating? Du Bois' ability to unify sociology with music — so beautiful! But, above all else, a crucial piece of postcolonial literature, way ahead of its time.

[Verre Morshed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Du Bois's critiques about how Western states tout democracy whilst maintaining colonial empires and fighting in proxy wars still remain relevant. Thought provoking.