Du Bois writes "The Souls of Black Folk" discussing the discrimination still on the black community even though society is "integrated". He describes the black history as a "longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge himself into a better and truer self. He wishes that a man could both be a Negro and an American, because when he tries, he feels put down and cursed upon. However, Du Bois claims that Negro blood has a message for this world and will not bleach their soul to Americanism. He is seeking to be an free individual living in a world who shuts doors in his face. He seeks freedom to love, think, and live.
This essay is a very enlightenment way of thinking. During the enlightenment people started to think for themselves, and straying from the norm. People also became less oppressed because they took a stand for their own beliefs instead of being told from the priest what to believe. More people became free during the enlightenment. Du Bois is taking a stand for his beliefs weather or not the majority agree with him. He is legally free but is taking a stand against harsh treatment from oppressors.
Question: What was the seventh thing he was talking about?
This doesn't feel like a helpful analytical exercise. 1) Be precise with your words--"the seventh thing"? What do you mean? 2) Be thorough in your argument--what message? What value is there to African-American culture here? 3) Be careful as you revise--grammar mistakes undercut the seriousness of your argument.
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