Remembering W.E.B. Du Bois

Du BoisWhile this week marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington it is also the 50th anniversary of the passing of W.E.B. Du Bois. It is unfortunate, though not surprising that he has all but been forgotten to our memory of the long civil rights movement. Was there anyone more important and for such a significant amount of time through the first half of the twentieth century? I make it a point to introduce Du Bois in my classroom every year, usually through one of his essays or a selection from The Souls of Black Folk.

At least he has not been entirely forgotten in his home town of Great Barrington, MA. The photograph above comes from a local eight grade class, which recently spent some time exploring a local public mural done in honor of Du Bois.

Du Bois on Robert E. Lee: ”  “Either [Lee] knew what slavery meant when he helped maim and murder thousands in its defense or he did not” — From an essay on Lee (1928)

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8 comments… add one
  • Mary Ellen Maatman Aug 28, 2013 @ 12:18

    I’m trying to find the essay. Any online sources? Or is it published in a larger collection of works? Any guidance would be appreciated.

    • Kevin Levin Aug 28, 2013 @ 12:20

      I looked for it as well. Unfortunately, it’s not in the Du Bois reader edited by D.L. Lewis, which I own. Please pass it on if you find it. Thanks.

  • Sir Aug 28, 2013 @ 8:35

    Remove “Lee” insert “Washington”, “Andrew Jackson”,”Themistocles”,”Pericles”, or “Leonidas” – big woop. Lee still fought for freedom, notwithstanding slavery, as did the aforementioned.

    • Kevin Levin Aug 28, 2013 @ 8:45

      Than it wouldn’t be W.E.B. Dubois’s thought. Sorry.

  • Doug didier Aug 28, 2013 @ 5:03

    Symposium at duke.. 75th anniversary of Black Reconstruction.. Inspired people around the world. All videos but one here..

    https://fhi.duke.edu/events/du-bois-symposium

    Recent book on the Du Bois memory in his hometown .

    • Kevin Levin Aug 28, 2013 @ 5:05

      Thanks for the link, Doug.

  • MJ Jones Aug 27, 2013 @ 15:45

    Thank you!

    • Kevin Levin Aug 27, 2013 @ 16:18

      You are very welcome.

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