http://www.negro-baseball-league.com

As the US moved toward the apex of the Civil Rights movement, I was thinking that both his age and frustrations contributed toward the rise and shift of his idealism that many Southern blacks did not see as a part of their plight. From what I have read, I always sensed that he was a mighty voice with a message that did not always convey with the rest. I seemed his faith n God came across as being a bit convoluted to others as well.

“Where would Du Bois get full and accurate information about Stalin?” And, what is wrong with seeking another alternative when the US current direction is not working? I understand what he was doing; but, did southern blacks understand?

“DuBois comes across as a man very passionate about his beliefs… but maybe too passionate… too quick to cast off friends he knows are mostly with him ideologically for potential friends that he imagines are totally in agreement with his views.”

I think you are right. DuBois was in a league that made it very difficult for him to relate to poor black people. His intent, in my opinion, was to inspire an elite group of educated blacks to shape the plight of the race. His voice was lost among the people. His ideas were not as practical with black people as Washington’s were. Southern poor blacks believed in hard work and capitalism. I realize it was a capitalist system that enslaved blacks, but poor black southerners saw a problem with Russia and its idelogical construct.

I think he was an idealist early on; however, by the 1950s he realized his idealist views of negro integration would never work. He died in 1963. I wish he could have lived another 10 years. Whites and blacks united to defeat Jim Crow,

I just wanted to say that I always enjoy reading your comments here. Carson tells me that you two are friends from college. I find your knowledge and insight to always be very good. I cannot believe you are not in history education. I have even seen you cause Carson to pause and rethink a position or two on this blog. If you know Carson you know that is not easy. I think you got it right regarding DuBois. He was a bit disillusioned probaly out of pain and frustration.

After reading what he wrote about Booker T. Washington, DuBois comes across as a man very passionate about his beliefs… but maybe too passionate… too quick to cast off friends he knows are mostly with him ideologically for potential friends that he imagines are totally in agreement with his views. Washington wanted many of the same things that DuBois wanted, but he felt the path to get there was longer and in a different direction. DuBois found a man he did not really know (Stalin) more compelling than a man he did know (Washington) because one got results faster, perhaps?

Would that be an accurate observation of DuBois, Eddie? I’m no expert on the man, but the little I’ve read makes me think he was a man that expected racial, economic, and political equality NOW and not later. Too much of an idealist? Anything less was frustrating to him? He might assume the grass was greener in Stalin’s yard because of the difficulty in getting the U.S. yard up to his standards.

This display is quite a contrast to his eulogy for Booker T. Washington in which he said, “In stern justice, we must lay on the soul of this man a heavy responsibility for the
consummation of Negro disfranchisement, the decline of the Negro college and
public school, and the firmer establishment of colour caste in this land.”

I am dying to know what you think of this piece by DuBois? Keep in mind my above commment on the period.

Eddie, do you think a biased eulogy like this affects the credibility of DuBois’ other writings?