DuBois Sumblog 7

“Forget about the reasons and

The treasons we are seeking

Forget about the notion that your emotions can be

Wept away, kept at bay

Forget about being guilty, I am innocent instead

For soon we will all find our lives swept away” – Dave Matthews Band: Seek Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhvJrNfgTfE

W.E.B. DuBois was a sociologist during a very trivial period of American history. He was born shortly after the 13^th amendment came into effect. His sociological perspective was one of the first forms of symbolic interactionism. This is a micro-perspective, which has overlapping factors with psychology. His two key concepts are the ideas of the “veil” and “double-consciousness.” DuBois described the veil as something that hides potential. We take for granted the status quo- for example racial inequality. African Americans are able to exist in society, but don’t view this society from the same perspective due to this veil that is placed upon them. The consequence of this idea of the “veil” is called double-consciousness or twoness. This means that there is one person with two different identities. This concept is largely due to the differences between majority and minority cultures, there is a schism between the two. African Americans are being fed the same beliefs and traditions that are inherent in the majority culture, but are unable to incorporate their own within their society. This in turn sets them apart from the rest of society and produces the idea of a double-consciousness. To help explain DuBois’s ideas of the veil and double-consciousness I chose a song called “Seek Up.” I think the lyrics above clearly depict how people who are feeling these two differing identities within themselves need to find a sense of peace amongst all of the inner turmoil. We are all here for a limited amount of time, and to live in a constant struggle can be very harmful and taxing on one’s self. This song basically says, those even though one may be going through hell, keep fighting, and make the most of what you have.