"Of Our Spiritual Strivings"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses W.E.B Du Bois' essay "Of Our Spiritual Strivings." The paper describes the essay as an existential and intellectual examination of the place of the Negro in American society. In order to understand the essay, the paper briefly places it in its literary and sociological context. It then discusses the issues that are brought in the essay and concludes that Du Bois provides a clear and compelling account of the various aspects that comprise the central existential crisis that faced the black man in the early twentieth century.

From the Paper:

"In conclusion this essay by Du Bois provides a clear and compelling account of the various aspects that comprise the central existential crisis that faced the Black man in the early Twentieth Century; and some would argue, still does today. What makes the essay so important is that it not only sketches the existential dilemma but also suggests a possible solution to this situation through tolerance and balance. This synthetic and holistic approach can also be seen in his views on education. "In the final analysis DuBois says that the Negro university must...expand toward the possession of all knowledge. It [must start] from a beginning of the history of the Negro in America and in Africa to interpret all history; [and ultimately]...interpret and understand the social development of all mankind in all ages." (McSwine B. L.)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Jelks, R. "Of Our Spirituals Strivings" Faith, Justice, and the Teaching of the Humanities. April 5, 2006. http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:dg68ZX-ohy4J:www.westmont.edu/institute/pages/2003_program/papers/jelks.pdf+Of+Our+Spiritual+Strivings&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&lr=lang_en&client=firefox-a
• Lewis D. L. On being African-American: proud, enduring hyphenation - excerpt from 1993 book 'W.E.B. Du Bois: Biography of a Race, 1868-1919'. April 6, 2006. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1546/is_n1_v9/ai_14947182
• McSwine B. L. The Educational Philosophy of W.E.B. DuBois. 1998. April 7, 2006. http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/EPS/PES-Yearbook/1998/mcswine.html
• Of Our Spiritual Strivings. April 5, 2006. http://www.racematters.org/thesoulsofblackfolk1.htm
• W.E.B. DuBois. April 7, 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._E._B._Du_Bois

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