W.E.B. DuBois

I Know Why the Caged Bird SIngs

Early Years

• Born Feb. 23, 1868 in Great Barrington, MA

• William Edward Burghadt Du Bois-full name

• Father was French Haitian

• Did not know his biological father, he left when he was young—but he was close to his mother.

Early Years

• W.E.B’s mom had a stroke and was unable to work, therefore they depended on the few jobs that W.E.B. could do, and kindness from relatives.

• W.E.B. believed he could improve their lives through education

• Many recognized W.E.B’s intelligence, and encouraged him to further his education.

University Education

• 1888-Du Bois was awarded a degree from Fisk University

• After graduation, Du Bois managed the Fisk Glee Club, and the club was employed by a luxury resort in Minnesota.

• Du Bois worked as the manager of the glee club and as a waiter at the resort.

• He was disgusted with the drinking and rude behavior from the rich white guests, and this left a deep impression on young Du Bois.

• 1888-Du Bois entered Harvard College

• He earned a B.A. from Harvard in 1890, and received a stipend to attend the University of Berlin.

• 1895-Du Bois, first African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard

• Du Bois wrote 22 books.

Civil Rights Activism

• Was a contemporary of Booker T. Washington

• Du Bois was one of the founding members of the NAACP

• Worked for 25 years as the Editor-in-chief for the NAACP’s publication The Crisis

• He published AA writers Langston Hughes and Jean Toomer.

Marcus Garvey vs. Du Bois

• During 1920’s-Du Bois and Garvey were at odds.

• Du Bois questioned whether African Americans could ever be seen as equals in American society, and Garvey questioned whether African Americans would always be treated as 2nd class citizens.

• They could never agree on the view of the AA in American society, and were seen as enemies.

Washington Vs. DuBois

• BW wanted self-help and vocational training for AAs and D Bois thought AAs should seek higher education in the liberal arts.

• Du Bois believed AAs should challenge and question white society on all grounds, but BW believed adjusting and assimilating to the culture, was the way for AAs to move up.

Death

• Du Bois and his wife were at this time, permanent citizens of Ghana

• Du Bois’s health declined in 1962, and he died at the age of 95 , 1 day before MLK, Jr’s “I Have A Dream Speech”

• At MLK. Jr.’s speech, Du Bois’s death was announced, and there was a moment of silence.