W. E. B Dubois Speech Analysis

“The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line…” These words were first uttered by W.E.B. DuBois in 1900 while in London as he addressed the first Pan African convention. These words have since gone on to be immortalized in plays, fiction , books and even popular political rhetoric but few realize these words were first merely spoken words. The power of the spoken word cannot underestimated nor its literary merit ignored. It is part of African American history and literary tradition. It is no secret that African American history and its traditions have largely been passed down orally. African American slaves, drawing on their ancestral roots communicated with one another on plantations, using stories, tales, songs,

Each one is relevant to the progression of African Americans socially, politically and educationally. It was not just the content of the words that warranted inclusion in this text but also the depth of their character and commitment to the cause. Nearly all the individuals in this anthology are significant historic figures. The speeches also represent the continuing divergence of thought and opinion in the black community. For instance, Booker T. Washington advocated gradualism and accommodation Washington is remembered chiefly for this “Atlanta Compromise” address. In this speech, he called on white America to provide jobs and industrial-agricultural education for Negroes. In exchange, blacks would give up demands for social equality and civil rights. His message to the Negro was that political and social equality were less important as immediate goals than economic respectability and independence. DuBois, on the other hand, advocated racial equality immediately. DuBois found Washington’s program intolerable. DuBois was quite outspoken about racial injustice and differed sharply with Washington over the importance of liberal arts

These speeches represented the ideas and ideals of a people. Clearly, the early speeches addressed slavery and appealed to the nation to free African Americans. Most of the speeches were given by former slaves or noted clergy in the North who had achieved some degree of economic independence. These speakers are clearly articulate and surprisingly persuasive. Most are well educated despite their former slave status. Additionally, the number of speeches that included equal rights for women in their appeals for justice and liberty may surprise you. Notably, Frederick Douglas was a proponent for women’s rights as was Maria W. Stewart and Ida Wells. All these women made considerable contributions to the cause of equality, not just in word but in deed as well. Later speeches concentrated on issues of identity, self-knowledge and black empowerment. These themes are still developing in speakers today. Two speeches of President Obama are included. The most significant as it relates to the other speeches in this book is the one he made on race on March 18, 2008. Many have said the success of this speech enabled him to remain a viable candidate in the 2008 presidential race. This was an important message. His inauguration address is one of historic