Reading Reaction -- 9.9.09
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Ryan Browne
Sep 7, 2009, 7:30:08 PM9/7/09
to EN 210-029
Read the following excerpt from W.E.B. Du Bois’s The Souls of Black
Folk (1903):
“After the Egyptian and Indian, the Greek and Roman, the Teuton
and Mongolian, the Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil,
and gifted with second-sight in this American world—a world which
yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself
through the revelation of the other world. It is a peculiar sensation,
this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self
through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a
world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his
two-ness—an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two
unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose
dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.
“The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife—
this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double
self into a better and truer self. In this merging he wishes neither
of the older selves to be lost. He would not Africanize America, for
America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not
bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows
that Negro blood has a message for the world. He simply wishes to make
it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without
being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of
Opportunity closed roughly in his face. This, then, is the end of his
striving: to be a co-worker in the kingdom of culture, to escape both
death and isolation, to husband and use his best powers and his latent
genius.”
Does this excerpt contend with or echo/align with the sentiments and
ideas in the excerpt of Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man? How so?
Cite specifics from both texts (failure to do so will result in no
credit). 250 words.
Folk (1903):
“After the Egyptian and Indian, the Greek and Roman, the Teuton
and Mongolian, the Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil,
and gifted with second-sight in this American world—a world which
yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself
through the revelation of the other world. It is a peculiar sensation,
this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self
through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a
world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his
two-ness—an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two
unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose
dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.
“The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife—
this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double
self into a better and truer self. In this merging he wishes neither
of the older selves to be lost. He would not Africanize America, for
America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not
bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows
that Negro blood has a message for the world. He simply wishes to make
it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without
being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of
Opportunity closed roughly in his face. This, then, is the end of his
striving: to be a co-worker in the kingdom of culture, to escape both
death and isolation, to husband and use his best powers and his latent
genius.”
Does this excerpt contend with or echo/align with the sentiments and
ideas in the excerpt of Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man? How so?
Cite specifics from both texts (failure to do so will result in no
credit). 250 words.
Ali Smith
Sep 8, 2009, 12:32:35 AM9/8/09
to EN 210-029
“The Autobiography of a Ex-Colored Man” by James Weldon Johnson and
“The Souls of Black Folk” by W.E.B. Du Bois both pose the dilemmas of
African Americans co-existing in white America while still holding on
to their heritage. The narrator in “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored
Man” is blissfully ignorant of his racial identity until his
schoolteacher calls him out for being black one day. The young
narrator has lived most of his life in the North living a comfortable
and educated life. After his mother passes away the boy is able to
travel and break free from the sheltered life his mother built for
him. He starts to see the world of segregation and comes up with a
categorization of the black community; the desperate class, the
working-class servants, and middle and upper classes. While time
passes the man finds he has a love and an incredible talent for
ragtime music. He decides he wants to bring the African American music
and arts to a higher level in society. While the man is traveling in
the South, he comes across a lynching in a town square. This scene
turns the narrator away from the black community as he states that he
is at “Shame at being identified with a people that could with
impunity be treated worse than animals". At the end of the story the
narrator has married a white woman and has two beautiful children.
After his wife dies during the second childbirth, the man is left to
raise his children. In the last paragraph the man states, “I am an
ordinarily successful white man who has made a little money. They are
men who are making history and a race. I, too, might have taken part
in a work so glorious”. He has chosen to pass as a white man and
abandon his heritage for the sake of security. He wants his children
to have a privileged and safe life without the cruelty of prejudice
and discrimination.
Much like the dilemma the narrator in Johnson’s story faced, Du Bois
also explains the problems African-Americans face trying to live an
almost double life. He describes the importance of keeping the African
heritage and being proud of one’s dark skin but also embracing new
ideas and cultural values of a growing America. “He simply wishes to
make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without
being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of
Opportunity closed roughly in his face”. Du Bois explains that many
being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of
African-American are highly criticized and condemned for trying to
hold on to their past. In the end of the excerpt he expresses his
hopes that one day African-Americans can co-exist in the world being
both and African and an American.
mjha...@crimson.ua.edu
Sep 8, 2009, 5:36:31 PM9/8/09
to EN 210-029
Matt Harris
9/8/2009
Autobiography of An Ex-Coloured Man
The Souls of Black Folk does contend with The Autobiography on An Ex-
Coloured Man. On page 1021 in the first paragraph of an Autobiography
of An Ex-Coloured man, it states, “Among the first of my fellow-
passengers of whom I took any particular notice was a tall, broad-
shouldered, almost gigantic, coulred man. He attracted general
attention as he strode the deck in a sort of majestic loneliness.”
All he did was walk into the room and immediately was noticed by
everyone and was the center of attention. We know that both passages
are similar because in the second paragraph it states, “He simply
makes it clear that in both passages African-Americans are fighting
for freedom and are not treated equally. Racism is an issue in both
passages, but on page 1022 in Autobiography of An Ex-Coloured Man it
talks about how an African-American sat down for lunch at the saloon
next to a white man, and then the African-American never sat there
again. All the guy did was eat his lunch at the same table. The
astonishing part of that page was that I never knew eating lunch was
such a big deal. I could not understand why everybody cannot be
mature about petty situations like this one. Therefore, it is very
upsetting to read articles about racism, but it is more unfortunate
that racism still occurs in today’s society.
9/8/2009
Autobiography of An Ex-Coloured Man
The Souls of Black Folk does contend with The Autobiography on An Ex-
Coloured Man. On page 1021 in the first paragraph of an Autobiography
of An Ex-Coloured man, it states, “Among the first of my fellow-
passengers of whom I took any particular notice was a tall, broad-
shouldered, almost gigantic, coulred man. He attracted general
attention as he strode the deck in a sort of majestic loneliness.”
All he did was walk into the room and immediately was noticed by
everyone and was the center of attention. We know that both passages
are similar because in the second paragraph it states, “He simply
wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an
American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without
having the doors of opportunity closed roughly in his face.” This
American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without
makes it clear that in both passages African-Americans are fighting
for freedom and are not treated equally. Racism is an issue in both
passages, but on page 1022 in Autobiography of An Ex-Coloured Man it
talks about how an African-American sat down for lunch at the saloon
next to a white man, and then the African-American never sat there
again. All the guy did was eat his lunch at the same table. The
astonishing part of that page was that I never knew eating lunch was
such a big deal. I could not understand why everybody cannot be
mature about petty situations like this one. Therefore, it is very
upsetting to read articles about racism, but it is more unfortunate
that racism still occurs in today’s society.
Katie
Sep 8, 2009, 8:16:29 PM9/8/09
to EN 210-029
The two narratives, “Autobiography of an ex-coloured man” and
“The Souls of Black Folk” both contend with each other. They both have
made great points to achieve the campaign in describing an issue where
the African American people are being disgraced upon. The stories lead
Americans to think that we should just let them be because their are
many different perspectives and much to learn from the each race. My
favorite intertwining parts of these to excerpts, discusses a point of
view in which each one of the authors does not wish to change their
colored self. They both believe the Americanized unity could learn
something from each culture, history and knowledge.
In “ Autobiography of an ex-coloured man” Johnson states at the very
end of his chapter, “ I would neither disclaim the black race nor
claim the white race; ....and let the world take me for what it
would” (pg 1038) During the chapter, the author travels to many
different places and catches the point of views on the African
American race from many different classes. He sometimes joins in on
the discussions and sometimes is the observer. The author learns many
perspectives and by the end, after being discriminated upon, Johnson
makes up his mind on his point of view. He concludes that he does not
care what others think of him, but he just wants to live his life as a
black man and see where it takes him. I feel towards the end of the
novel, the Johnson is indifferent to the country in which he is looked
down upon because of his black skin.
In Du Bois’s excerpt, he states, “He would not bleach his Negro soul
staying true to your race. This sentence proves to me the author also
wants the races to see where the world leads them with their knowledge
of ethnicity. I feel there is too much controversy on the race issue
and this is as simplistic as both excerpts can be taken
“The Souls of Black Folk” both contend with each other. They both have
made great points to achieve the campaign in describing an issue where
the African American people are being disgraced upon. The stories lead
Americans to think that we should just let them be because their are
many different perspectives and much to learn from the each race. My
favorite intertwining parts of these to excerpts, discusses a point of
view in which each one of the authors does not wish to change their
colored self. They both believe the Americanized unity could learn
something from each culture, history and knowledge.
In “ Autobiography of an ex-coloured man” Johnson states at the very
end of his chapter, “ I would neither disclaim the black race nor
claim the white race; ....and let the world take me for what it
would” (pg 1038) During the chapter, the author travels to many
different places and catches the point of views on the African
American race from many different classes. He sometimes joins in on
the discussions and sometimes is the observer. The author learns many
perspectives and by the end, after being discriminated upon, Johnson
makes up his mind on his point of view. He concludes that he does not
care what others think of him, but he just wants to live his life as a
black man and see where it takes him. I feel towards the end of the
novel, the Johnson is indifferent to the country in which he is looked
down upon because of his black skin.
In Du Bois’s excerpt, he states, “He would not bleach his Negro soul
in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a
message for the world.” This statement also proves the significance of
staying true to your race. This sentence proves to me the author also
wants the races to see where the world leads them with their knowledge
of ethnicity. I feel there is too much controversy on the race issue
and this is as simplistic as both excerpts can be taken
Cori Powell
Sep 8, 2009, 9:10:41 PM9/8/09
to EN 210-029
In "Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man" by James Weldon Johnson and
"The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Du Bois the reoccuring theme that
is apparent in each piece of literature, and that jumps out at the
reader is staying true to yourself, no matter what your race, or what
others think about it. During the plot of "Autobiography of an Ex-
Coloured Man," the narrator travels all over the country and finds out
the true meaning of what it means to be African-American, and how
others view them. The views of the different regions were not always
optimistic, however, each African-American in the story seemed proud
of their race and willing to fight to protect themselves from
discrimination. On page 1024, of "Autobiography of and Ex-Coloured
Man," a coloured man simply states, "It's no disgrace to be black, but
it's often very inconveinent." This statement is proven true, also
through the words of W.E.B. DuBois. DuBois writes, "In this merging he
shows the "inconveince" of Johnson's ideas of being African-American
in the way of not knowing how to meld together the ideas of the
African culture with the ideas of the American world. Towards the end
of "Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man," the reader can see that the
narrator is finally figuring out how he feels about the situation of
racism in America. He takes the stance that he will not claim either
race, white or black, but that he would go into the world without a
race, and let people judge him for who he really is. This is what the
narrator feels truly matters. In regards to the negativity of
Johnson's piece, he refers to the protests and riots in the South.
Being from the south, even today, gives you a completely different
outlook on race issues compared to what one would see in the North.
However, seeing this, the narrator stays true to his race, and what he
believes by talking about the brutality scene and saying how even the
liberal, white southern men cower to the "Southern opinion." What
Johnson is saying is once again, the reoccuring theme of be true to
your race, and stand up for what you believe is right and this relates
back to DuBois's piece, in which he hits the reoccuring theme
perfectly with, "He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of
"The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Du Bois the reoccuring theme that
is apparent in each piece of literature, and that jumps out at the
reader is staying true to yourself, no matter what your race, or what
others think about it. During the plot of "Autobiography of an Ex-
Coloured Man," the narrator travels all over the country and finds out
the true meaning of what it means to be African-American, and how
others view them. The views of the different regions were not always
optimistic, however, each African-American in the story seemed proud
of their race and willing to fight to protect themselves from
discrimination. On page 1024, of "Autobiography of and Ex-Coloured
Man," a coloured man simply states, "It's no disgrace to be black, but
it's often very inconveinent." This statement is proven true, also
through the words of W.E.B. DuBois. DuBois writes, "In this merging he
wishes neither of the older selves to be lost. He would not Africanize
America, America has too much to teach the world and Africa. This
shows the "inconveince" of Johnson's ideas of being African-American
in the way of not knowing how to meld together the ideas of the
African culture with the ideas of the American world. Towards the end
of "Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man," the reader can see that the
narrator is finally figuring out how he feels about the situation of
racism in America. He takes the stance that he will not claim either
race, white or black, but that he would go into the world without a
race, and let people judge him for who he really is. This is what the
narrator feels truly matters. In regards to the negativity of
Johnson's piece, he refers to the protests and riots in the South.
Being from the south, even today, gives you a completely different
outlook on race issues compared to what one would see in the North.
However, seeing this, the narrator stays true to his race, and what he
believes by talking about the brutality scene and saying how even the
liberal, white southern men cower to the "Southern opinion." What
Johnson is saying is once again, the reoccuring theme of be true to
your race, and stand up for what you believe is right and this relates
back to DuBois's piece, in which he hits the reoccuring theme
perfectly with, "He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of
white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the
world."
world."
On Sep 7, 6:30 pm, Ryan Browne <ryan.j.bro...@gmail.com> wrote:
Kristofer Khoury
Sep 8, 2009, 9:40:58 PM9/8/09
to EN 210-029
W.E.B. Du Bois's "The Souls of Black Folk" and James Weldon
Johnson's "The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man" both portray the
issues of African Americans living in white cultured America. In "The
Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man" the narrator lives his life as a
passing white man who never reveals his true identity to the world. He
was never held back in school because of his strong education and
light colored skin. However, his talent in black music showed his true
color. Here he makes a decision to give up his love for ragtime music
to live as a white man. The only acceptance the Ex-Coloured man
experienced was the love of his wife who agreed to marry him once
telling her the truth of his own heritage. At the end of the excerpt
the Ex-Coloured man states, "My love for my children makes me glad
that I am what I am, and keeps me from dersiring to be otherwise; and
yet, when I sometimes open a little box in which I still keep my fast
yellow manuscripts, the only tangible remnants of a vanished dream, a
dead ambition, a sacrificed talent, I cannot repress the thought, that
after all I have chosen the lesser part, that I have sold my
birthright for a mess of pottage." Here the narrator is saying that he
gave up his heritage and love of music so he and his children live an
unprejudiced life. At the same time I also feel the narrator is in a
state of regretion. The fact that he gave up his own culture for a
happy life instead of trying to make a difference.
Somewhat similar to Johnson's excerpt Du Bois's excerpt also
focuses on the African Americans co-existing in America and trying to
live two lives. "One ever feels his two-ness an American, a Negro; two
souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings, two warring ideals in
one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn
asunder." The idea of having to live two lives just so society can
accept you is a rough life to live when America is here to bring about
freedom to show cultural knowings and love of other races.
Luke
Sep 8, 2009, 10:24:47 PM9/8/09
to EN 210-029
Both the "Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man" and "The Souls of
Black Folk" echo one another. W.E.B. Du Bois and James Weldon Johnson
both elaborate on the life of the black race in White Southern
America. Black people were not yet given the true opportunity of
living a well-educated life like that of a white man in the south
compared to the north. Racial differences are still very divided in
both passages and give us this notion that a black person was still
not freed from the cruelty and distaste put upon from their society.
After the man's discovery of how race is percieved in different
parts of America, he concludes with himself that he will let people
judge for who he is not for the racial divide that separated him
during his travels. The man's conclusion in "Autobiography of an Ex-
Coloured Man" directly correlates with "He would not bleach his Negro
to disagree like the Texan in James Johnson's story. Johnson wrote
"The Southern whites are not yet living quite in the present age; many
of their general ideas hark back to a former century, some of them to
the Dark Ages. In the light of other days they are magnificient. Today
they are often cruel and ludicrous." The divided views of America is
never and will never be concured upon and just like the Texan states
"Down here in the South we're up against facts, and we're meeting 'em
like facts. We dont believe the nigger is or ever will be the equal of
the white man, and we ain't going to treat him as an equal". Racism
exists today based on factual reasoning not because of someone's
igornant view of life upon race and both authors portrayed too much
pity and remorse.
Black Folk" echo one another. W.E.B. Du Bois and James Weldon Johnson
both elaborate on the life of the black race in White Southern
America. Black people were not yet given the true opportunity of
living a well-educated life like that of a white man in the south
compared to the north. Racial differences are still very divided in
both passages and give us this notion that a black person was still
not freed from the cruelty and distaste put upon from their society.
After the man's discovery of how race is percieved in different
parts of America, he concludes with himself that he will let people
judge for who he is not for the racial divide that separated him
during his travels. The man's conclusion in "Autobiography of an Ex-
Coloured Man" directly correlates with "He would not bleach his Negro
soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood
has a message for the world" in Du Bois's excerpt. However, I intend
to disagree like the Texan in James Johnson's story. Johnson wrote
"The Southern whites are not yet living quite in the present age; many
of their general ideas hark back to a former century, some of them to
the Dark Ages. In the light of other days they are magnificient. Today
they are often cruel and ludicrous." The divided views of America is
never and will never be concured upon and just like the Texan states
"Down here in the South we're up against facts, and we're meeting 'em
like facts. We dont believe the nigger is or ever will be the equal of
the white man, and we ain't going to treat him as an equal". Racism
exists today based on factual reasoning not because of someone's
igornant view of life upon race and both authors portrayed too much
pity and remorse.
Calan
Sep 9, 2009, 12:38:16 AM9/9/09
to EN 210-029
“Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man” written by James Weldon Johnson
and “The Souls of Black Folk” written by W. E. B. Du Bois, both are
dealing with the same dilemma. I believe the two stories work hand
in hand towards the same result. Each wants the African-American man
to be recognized as an equal to the white man. Du Boise says in “The
Soul of Black Folk”, “He simply wishes to make it possible for a man
in his face.” At the same time Johnson’s main character wants the
differences in the races to be nonexistent because he does not want
the color of his skin to have an effect on his children’s lives. He is
a black man that is obviously black at heart but not in appearance. He
is a man with light complexion that could pass as white. When a black
man does not want to be known as black for the betterment of his
family and his condition it is obvious that he desires the racist view
to go away as expressed by Johnson and Du Bois. At one point in the
story, the main character sees a man burned at the stake and decides
he cannot be identified with a race that is treated “worse than
animals”. “I argued that to forsake one’s race to better one’s
condition was no less worthy an action than to forsake one’s country
for the same purpose”. The character decides to change his name and
grow a mustache which tells the reader that the man wants to be viewed
as white.
and “The Souls of Black Folk” written by W. E. B. Du Bois, both are
dealing with the same dilemma. I believe the two stories work hand
in hand towards the same result. Each wants the African-American man
to be recognized as an equal to the white man. Du Boise says in “The
Soul of Black Folk”, “He simply wishes to make it possible for a man
to be both a Negro and an American, without being cursed and spit upon
by his fellows, without having the doors of opportunity closed roughly
in his face.” At the same time Johnson’s main character wants the
differences in the races to be nonexistent because he does not want
the color of his skin to have an effect on his children’s lives. He is
a black man that is obviously black at heart but not in appearance. He
is a man with light complexion that could pass as white. When a black
man does not want to be known as black for the betterment of his
family and his condition it is obvious that he desires the racist view
to go away as expressed by Johnson and Du Bois. At one point in the
story, the main character sees a man burned at the stake and decides
he cannot be identified with a race that is treated “worse than
animals”. “I argued that to forsake one’s race to better one’s
condition was no less worthy an action than to forsake one’s country
for the same purpose”. The character decides to change his name and
grow a mustache which tells the reader that the man wants to be viewed
as white.
Kristen
Sep 9, 2009, 9:46:35 AM9/9/09
to EN 210-029
While reading the excerpt from "The Souls of Black Folk", I
couldn't help but be reminded of "Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured
Man". Each text echoes the other in that they both speak of how the
Negro in America struggles to find an individual identity and how no
one person can persuade people's ideas of the race. W.E.B. Du Bois
almost paralleled James Weldon Johnson exactly. In “The Souls of
Black Folk” when the line “It is a peculiar sensation, this double-
one of the physician’s lines where he speaks of the same thing. “You
see those lazy, loafing, good-for-nothing darkies; they’re not worth
digging graves for; yet they are the ones who create impressions of
the race for the casual observer. It’s because they are always in
evidence on the street corners, while the rest of us are hard at work,
and you know a dozen loafing darkies make a bigger crowd and a worse
impression in this country than fifty white men of the same class.
But they ought not to represent the race.” I thought they were most
alike because they both discussed how no matter what happens, to the
people who believe in freeing the Negro, the Negro will always be free
and to the people who believe in keeping the Negro as a slave, the
Negro will always be inferior.
couldn't help but be reminded of "Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured
Man". Each text echoes the other in that they both speak of how the
Negro in America struggles to find an individual identity and how no
one person can persuade people's ideas of the race. W.E.B. Du Bois
almost paralleled James Weldon Johnson exactly. In “The Souls of
Black Folk” when the line “It is a peculiar sensation, this double-
consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the
eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that
looks on in amused contempt and pity,” was spoken it reminded me of
eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that
one of the physician’s lines where he speaks of the same thing. “You
see those lazy, loafing, good-for-nothing darkies; they’re not worth
digging graves for; yet they are the ones who create impressions of
the race for the casual observer. It’s because they are always in
evidence on the street corners, while the rest of us are hard at work,
and you know a dozen loafing darkies make a bigger crowd and a worse
impression in this country than fifty white men of the same class.
But they ought not to represent the race.” I thought they were most
alike because they both discussed how no matter what happens, to the
people who believe in freeing the Negro, the Negro will always be free
and to the people who believe in keeping the Negro as a slave, the
Negro will always be inferior.
Tanner Logan
Sep 9, 2009, 11:18:17 AM9/9/09
to EN 210-029
The excerpt given for us to read talks about and touches more on where
being a Negro in America could head. Whereas “ The Autobiography of an
Ex-Coloured Man “ seems to talk more on where it could go given the
hardships it must endure. The excerpt seems to no matter what suppress
the black man, whereas the autobiography wants to try and uplift him.
The narrator is trying to make sense of it all and wants to help to
educate people on the cause. However from the narrator from the
excerpt has this somewhat “oh well” type of feel about the whole
situation. It seems like he wants to do something about the whole
situation within the word Negro. Yet he does not know where to even
start.
The stories are the same in the sense of they both want to push for a
better life for the Negro people, yet they both are just unsure how to
do so. An example is when the narrator of “The Autobiography of an Ex-
Coloured Man” goes to the south to gather a different point of view on
the situation he has to feel as if he takes a few steps back. He sees
a larger amount of uneducated blacks and it seems the south tries to
keep it this way. It even goes as far as talking about the narrator
seeing a lynching which he had only heard about, this is enough to
make him feel that he wants to go back to New York, where he will not
be treated as an inferior human being.
being a Negro in America could head. Whereas “ The Autobiography of an
Ex-Coloured Man “ seems to talk more on where it could go given the
hardships it must endure. The excerpt seems to no matter what suppress
the black man, whereas the autobiography wants to try and uplift him.
The narrator is trying to make sense of it all and wants to help to
educate people on the cause. However from the narrator from the
excerpt has this somewhat “oh well” type of feel about the whole
situation. It seems like he wants to do something about the whole
situation within the word Negro. Yet he does not know where to even
start.
The stories are the same in the sense of they both want to push for a
better life for the Negro people, yet they both are just unsure how to
do so. An example is when the narrator of “The Autobiography of an Ex-
Coloured Man” goes to the south to gather a different point of view on
the situation he has to feel as if he takes a few steps back. He sees
a larger amount of uneducated blacks and it seems the south tries to
keep it this way. It even goes as far as talking about the narrator
seeing a lynching which he had only heard about, this is enough to
make him feel that he wants to go back to New York, where he will not
be treated as an inferior human being.
Tricia
Sep 9, 2009, 11:22:21 AM9/9/09
to EN 210-029
W.E.B. Du Bois’ The Souls of Black Folk echoes the same sentiments as
Johnson’s The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man. Du Bois states,
“One [A black man] ever feels his two-ness an American, a Negro, two
Johnson’s story. The main character is literally of two races, his
mother being black and his father being white. He is trying to figure
out what society sees him as and which path to take and the only thing
that keeps him going is his curiosity and inner strength. He does not
feel disgrace towards his African roots, but is trying to figure out
where they fit within American society. “It’s no disgrace to be black,
but it’s often very inconvenient.” He is recognizing that race in
society is a social aspect, fabricated by society and not by any
actual biological ideals. He also notes that the Anglo-Saxon race has
made any fundamental contributions in history. “We are a great race,
the greatest in the world today, but we ought to remember that we are
standing on a pile of past races, and enjoy our position with a little
less show of arrogance.” Johnson’s character searches for meaning and
identity in the combination of his two races, yet he only finds that
opinions and viewpoint differ widely throughout regions and people. I
can only assume that later in the book he discovers that he cannot be
driven by society and must be free to take in opinions that he has
discovered, but form his own identity himself. “He simply wishes to
make it possible to be both a Negro and American.”
Johnson’s The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man. Du Bois states,
“One [A black man] ever feels his two-ness an American, a Negro, two
souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in
one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn
asunder.” Du Bois is almost speaking the mind of the main character in
one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn
Johnson’s story. The main character is literally of two races, his
mother being black and his father being white. He is trying to figure
out what society sees him as and which path to take and the only thing
that keeps him going is his curiosity and inner strength. He does not
feel disgrace towards his African roots, but is trying to figure out
where they fit within American society. “It’s no disgrace to be black,
but it’s often very inconvenient.” He is recognizing that race in
society is a social aspect, fabricated by society and not by any
actual biological ideals. He also notes that the Anglo-Saxon race has
made any fundamental contributions in history. “We are a great race,
the greatest in the world today, but we ought to remember that we are
standing on a pile of past races, and enjoy our position with a little
less show of arrogance.” Johnson’s character searches for meaning and
identity in the combination of his two races, yet he only finds that
opinions and viewpoint differ widely throughout regions and people. I
can only assume that later in the book he discovers that he cannot be
driven by society and must be free to take in opinions that he has
discovered, but form his own identity himself. “He simply wishes to
make it possible to be both a Negro and American.”
Caleb Hall
Sep 9, 2009, 12:24:51 PM9/9/09
to EN 210-029
This is a very interesting comparison to make between “Autobiography
of an Ex-Colored Man” by James Weldon Johnson and “The Souls of Black
Folk” by W.E.B. Du Bois. I believe the two concepts both agree and
disagree with each other. In W.E.B. Du Bois’ work he says “He would
strong and bold statement. However, he simply wishes for the two
cultures to stand apart from each other. In James Weldon Johnson’s
travels he came across plenty of African Americans who share the same
view. This autobiography holds many different views. However, one of
the most interesting statements to me is on page 1020; “…what an
adaptable creature the Negro is. I have seen the black West Indian
gentlemen. I have seen the natives of Haiti and Martinique in Paris,
and they are more Frenchy than a Frenchman. I have no doubt that the
Negro would make a good Chinaman, with exception of the pigtail.”
This is a very interesting excerpt to me. This does not speak of two
races living together but culturally apart. This speaks of
assimilation of the African American culture. The statement made is
one of sacrifice for peace. He wants to adapt to society and simply
fit in.
of an Ex-Colored Man” by James Weldon Johnson and “The Souls of Black
Folk” by W.E.B. Du Bois. I believe the two concepts both agree and
disagree with each other. In W.E.B. Du Bois’ work he says “He would
not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he
knows that Negro blood has a message for the world.” This is a very
strong and bold statement. However, he simply wishes for the two
cultures to stand apart from each other. In James Weldon Johnson’s
travels he came across plenty of African Americans who share the same
view. This autobiography holds many different views. However, one of
the most interesting statements to me is on page 1020; “…what an
adaptable creature the Negro is. I have seen the black West Indian
gentlemen. I have seen the natives of Haiti and Martinique in Paris,
and they are more Frenchy than a Frenchman. I have no doubt that the
Negro would make a good Chinaman, with exception of the pigtail.”
This is a very interesting excerpt to me. This does not speak of two
races living together but culturally apart. This speaks of
assimilation of the African American culture. The statement made is
one of sacrifice for peace. He wants to adapt to society and simply
fit in.
vsjackson
Sep 9, 2009, 12:51:28 PM9/9/09
to EN 210-029
W.E.B. Dubois’ “The Souls of Black Folk” is about black people
identifying themselves as Africans or Americans. He writes about
black people living in America who are trying to conserve their
African culture, while at the same time being open to American
culture. African Americans got criticized for behaving too American
and they also got criticized for behaving too African. It was a
struggle for them as a people to be both African and American. The Ex-
colored man experiences similar circumstances in his life. His father
was a white man and his mother was a black woman who worked for his
father. Because his father was a wealthy white man, he and his mother
were able to move to up north and live a privileged life. As a boy, he
never considered himself to be a black person until his grade school
teacher called him out on it. The ex-colored man’s mother dies and
soon after he is traveling the country experiencing what it is like to
be white and black man in the United States. Throughout his life he
struggles with identity. Sometimes he relates to the African American
culture and other times he only wants to be considered a white man. He
does however want to bring awareness to African American music and
culture to society. The ex-colored man decides to marry a white woman
and also decides to identify himself as a white man. He experiences
the loss of his wife and has to raise his two children. He raises them
in a white household. He chooses to be white for status reasons and
also to have a more stable and secure lifestyle without the risk of
discrimination.
identifying themselves as Africans or Americans. He writes about
black people living in America who are trying to conserve their
African culture, while at the same time being open to American
culture. African Americans got criticized for behaving too American
and they also got criticized for behaving too African. It was a
struggle for them as a people to be both African and American. The Ex-
colored man experiences similar circumstances in his life. His father
was a white man and his mother was a black woman who worked for his
father. Because his father was a wealthy white man, he and his mother
were able to move to up north and live a privileged life. As a boy, he
never considered himself to be a black person until his grade school
teacher called him out on it. The ex-colored man’s mother dies and
soon after he is traveling the country experiencing what it is like to
be white and black man in the United States. Throughout his life he
struggles with identity. Sometimes he relates to the African American
culture and other times he only wants to be considered a white man. He
does however want to bring awareness to African American music and
culture to society. The ex-colored man decides to marry a white woman
and also decides to identify himself as a white man. He experiences
the loss of his wife and has to raise his two children. He raises them
in a white household. He chooses to be white for status reasons and
also to have a more stable and secure lifestyle without the risk of
discrimination.
Laura Pope
Sep 9, 2009, 12:51:45 PM9/9/09
to EN 210-029
The themes of both The Souls of Black Folk and Autobiography of an Ex-
Coloured Man do align with each other. Both works discuss the racial
issues in America today, and in both, a certain respect for the
African American race is expressed. While racism and separation are
evident in America, both stories show the progress and potential of
African Americans, and also the influence that Whites have on them. In
Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man, on the topic of race, James
Weldon Johnson writes, "Its existence is rarely admitted and hardly
ever mentioned; it may not be too strong a statement to say that the
greater portion of the race is unconscious of its influence; yet this
influence, though silent, is constant." Johnson then goes on to say
that the influence is most evidenced in marriage selections you see
among black men; they seem to be attracted to lighter skinned women
than themselves. Also, in both readings you find that the African
Americans, although they strive to be accepted by whites and to be
civilized like whites, they still want to be true to their own
culture. The excerpt from The Souls of Black Folk says, "He would not
race is being praised in both readings, there is no negativity towards
African Americans nor towards White people; they both pose great hope
and incite for the race issues in our country.
Coloured Man do align with each other. Both works discuss the racial
issues in America today, and in both, a certain respect for the
African American race is expressed. While racism and separation are
evident in America, both stories show the progress and potential of
African Americans, and also the influence that Whites have on them. In
Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man, on the topic of race, James
Weldon Johnson writes, "Its existence is rarely admitted and hardly
ever mentioned; it may not be too strong a statement to say that the
greater portion of the race is unconscious of its influence; yet this
influence, though silent, is constant." Johnson then goes on to say
that the influence is most evidenced in marriage selections you see
among black men; they seem to be attracted to lighter skinned women
than themselves. Also, in both readings you find that the African
Americans, although they strive to be accepted by whites and to be
civilized like whites, they still want to be true to their own
culture. The excerpt from The Souls of Black Folk says, "He would not
bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows
that Negro blood has a message for the world." The African American
race is being praised in both readings, there is no negativity towards
African Americans nor towards White people; they both pose great hope
and incite for the race issues in our country.
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