Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the position of the African-American population and how it has changed over time. Specifically, the paper discusses the change in conditions in America for African-Americans after the abolishment of slavery. The paper compares the views of African-American philosophers Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois in the ways that they contributed to American society by offering insight into the personal experiences of blacks during and after the days of enslavement.

From the Paper:

"DuBois' vision stems partly from his political ideology, grounded in Marxist sensibility. Moreover, DuBois contributed to American history the appreciation for, interest in, and cultivation of African-American culture. DuBois' celebration of Black culture reflects Frances E.W. Harper's poem "Ethiopia," in which she proudly heralds the "dark, despairing brow" of the African-American spiritual home. Like Fredrick Douglas, DuBois and Harper condemned America for enabling the perpetuation of race-based slavery, which would continue in the form of political, economic, and social oppression for decades after emancipation."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Douglass, Frederick. "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" Address delivered in Rochester, NY. 5 July 1852. Excerpt in The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. Ed. Henry Louis Gates Jr. & Nellie Y. Kay. New York: W.W. Norton 1997. 379-391.
• DuBois, W.E.B. The Souls of Black Folk. 1 Feb 1903. The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. Ed. Henry Louis Gates Jr. & Nellie Y. Kay. New York: W.W. Norton 1997. 613-740.
• Dunbar, Paul Laurence. "The Colored Soldiers." The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. Ed. Henry Louis Gates Jr. & Nellie Y. Kay. New York: W.W. Norton 1997. 889-891.
• Harper, Frances E.W. "Ethiopia." The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. Ed. Henry Louis Gates Jr. & Nellie Y. Kay. New York: W.W. Norton 1997. 412.
• Johnson, James Weldon. "Life Ev'ry Voice and Sing." The Norton Anthology of African American Literature. Ed. Henry Louis Gates Jr. & Nellie Y. Kay. New York: W.W. Norton 1997. 768-69.

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