"On Being Crazy"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains how "On Being Crazy" is Du Bois's reminiscence of his experiences with the "crazy" whites, mindlessly fanatic against the ideals of social equality. It points out that, with a tinge of satire, Du Bios brings out the irrationality of racism, juxtaposing it against the rationality of seeing things with reference to their immediate significance, convincing a rational mind of the craziness of racism.

From the Paper:

""On Being Crazy" is Du Bois' satirical stab at the white chauvinism. The genius of Du Bois comprehends the power of satire in addressing issues that would otherwise be very difficult to address. "On Being Crazy" starts with Du Bois seating himself among whites in a restaurant to satiate his hunger, when his table companions ask: "do you wish to force your company on those who do not want you?" an outrageous remark to an un-provocative companion to which his wittingly-straight rational reply is "No" I wish to eat.? To the "crazy" whites' suggestion that his actions meant social equality he says humorously: " Nothing of the sort, sir, it is hunger". Later at the theatre when the lady frowns at him that he was "not wanted" there, his reason rubs against the white intolerance again as he replies "I certainly want the music, and I like to think the music wants me to listen to it" implying that to be the only and necessary reason of him being there."

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