Abstract This paper explains that W. E. B. Du Bois did not suffer economically and had not endured the severe racism most African-Americans, especially in the South, until he went to Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he saw his first lynching. The author points out that Du Bois denounced Booker T. Washington's philosophy of "separate and unequal" because Du Bois saw Washington's ideas on accommodating and compromising with whites as denying citizenship rights for African-Americans. The paper relates that Du Bois struggle with the American government because of his purported activities as a communist; in 1961, Du Bois left the United States and moved to the newly independent West African nation of Ghana; however, before he left the U.S., he openly defied the U.S. government and joined the American Communist Party.
From the Paper "The Niagara Movement had little impact on opinions in America, but it had a lot to do with the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). A group opposed to Booker T. Washington's ideas met in New York City in 1909 to "discuss the formation of a new organization dedicated to improving conditions for Blacks in the United States." The ensuing group was mostly white; despite this, Du Bois was elected as one of the founding officers in 1910."
Abstract The paper studies the Harlem Renaissance - the term given to a period in American history where a new focus on the African-American experience emerged. The writer of this paper shows how it was a time when African-American artists began to express their culture and at this time in history there came a new focus on the African-American artist and African-American Art. The writer introduces artist, Aaron Douglas, as someone who emerged from this time period and went on to create works which reflected the Harlem Renaissance. Some of Douglas' works are also discussed.
From the Paper "From this we see how Douglas's paintings represented modern life for African-Americans. Rather than their African life, his paintings reflect the life of African-Americans within America. While the subject of the works was modern, Douglas also incorporated his African culture by his focus on African forms, with his style being described as "flat with hard edges and repetitive designs... heavily influenced by African sculptures, jazz music, dance and geometric forms" (Schomburg Center)."
Abstract This paper explains that, during the 1900s, Africa had suffered from the repressive establishment of colonialism by European countries, racial discrimination, and slavery. The author points out that, in response to this oppression, the African people created a political and social movement called Pan-Africanism. The paper relates that one of the goals of this movement was to unite native Africans and those of African decent that were forced to leave Africa. The author cites that, in 1900, the first Pan-African conference was organized and American Dr. William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) Du Bois was selected as chairman. The paper states that, at the end of World War II, a new wave of Pan-Africanism was formed with, for the first time, a militant demand for complete independence instead of virtuous proposals. The author concludes that the Pan-African movement improved the standards of living for Africans and gave them more political and economic power.
From the Paper "Another event that helped Pan-Africanism gain popularity was the Italian Fascist and occupation of Ethiopia between 1935 and 1941. Italy launched an invasion in Ethiopia, without any Ethiopian provocation in October 1935. Italy succeeded in overtaking Ethiopian towns and main roads. Ethiopians refused to surrender and fought back against the Italians. Italian leader, Benito Mussolini, ordered Italian troops to fight back using whatever measure necessary, including poison gas. The Ethiopians resisted giving up and the Italians were unable to defeat the Ethiopian Patriots."
Tags: colonialism conference, du bois, independence virtuous
