Stephanie Jane recenzis The Souls of Black Folk de W. E. B. Du Bois
Insightful and still depressingly relevant
4 steloj
Originally written well over a century ago, The Souls Of Black Folk is an insightful and still depressingly relevant survey of the lives of and opportunities for black people in the American South. Du Bois collected together a number of essays he had written addressing aspects of this theme, some of which had already been published in various periodicals, and the result is this book. I did find it a little disjointed as a result. The essay about his child's death seemed awkwardly emotional and personal next to sociology and history pieces. Taken as a whole though, this was a fascinating and informative view of America in the decades immediately following their Civil War.
I already knew that the North had won the Civil War and that slavery had been abolished, in name at least, as a result, but I had never really considered what that would involve. Neither it …
Originally written well over a century ago, The Souls Of Black Folk is an insightful and still depressingly relevant survey of the lives of and opportunities for black people in the American South. Du Bois collected together a number of essays he had written addressing aspects of this theme, some of which had already been published in various periodicals, and the result is this book. I did find it a little disjointed as a result. The essay about his child's death seemed awkwardly emotional and personal next to sociology and history pieces. Taken as a whole though, this was a fascinating and informative view of America in the decades immediately following their Civil War.
I already knew that the North had won the Civil War and that slavery had been abolished, in name at least, as a result, but I had never really considered what that would involve. Neither it seems had anyone else because the resulting chaos across the southern states for years and years is incredible. Du Bois relates various schemes and plans for negro emancipation and personal independence, most well-meaning but hopelessly inadequate to the crisis at hand. One essay delves into the discussions of whether black people should be educated and, if so, to what degree! That such conversations were being seriously held a hundred years ago is mind-blowing enough, but I have noticed disturbing echoes of such bigotry in Trump's present-day America. It is unbelievably sad that so many lives and talents are still squandered for simple lack of opportunity in a country that loves to push itself forward as The Example to follow. This book helps explain how these attitudes came about and the mindsets which perpetuate them.
Du Bois wrote in quite the Victorian style so some of his quotes and allusions were lost on me. (I really must study more ancient Greek philosophy!) I learned so much from listening to this audiobook and am happy to praise Rodney Gardiner for his excellent narration. I think, for me, hearing the essays was best because the slower pace allowed me to absorb more information and understand the various arguments from each side, whether or not I agreed being quite another matter.