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W. E. B. Du Bois

W. E. B. Du Bois Quotes

Historian

W. E. B. Du Bois was an influential American historian, sociologist, civil rights activist, and writer. Born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Du Bois is renowned for his advocacy for the rights of African Americans. He co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement. His seminal work, 'The Souls of Black Folk,' remains a foundational text in African American literature and thought.

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All Men World Black Humans Race Ifs People White Believe Soul America Social Justice Color Culture I Believe Justice Knows Years Black History Doe

Famous W. E. B. Du Bois Quotes

“I refused to teach Sunday school. When Archdeacon Henry Phillips, my last rector, died, I flatly refused again to join any church or sign any church creed. From my 30th year on I have increasingly regarded the church as an institution which defended such evils as slavery, color caste, exploitation of labor and war.”

Years War School Lasts Evil Church Teach Color Labor Died Institutions Slavery Sunday Creeds Exploitation Castes Sunday School

Author:W. E. B. Du Bois

“The Negro cannot stand the present reactionary tendencies and unreasoning drawing of the color line indefinitely without discouragement and retrogression. And the condition of the Negro is ever the cause for further discrimination.”

Causes Lines Conditions Color Drawing Discrimination Tendencies Discouragement Reactionaries

Book:Three African-American Classics: Up from Slavery, The Souls of Black Folk and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Source: Three African-American Classics: Up from Slavery, The Souls of Black Folk and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

“The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line.”

Problem Lines Century Color Racism Social Justice Twentieth Century Racism In America Black Racism Race And Color

Author:W. E. B. Du Bois

“But art is not simply works of art; it is the spirit that knows Beauty, that has music in its soul and the color of sunsets in its headkerchiefs; that can dance on a flaming world and make the world dance, too.”

Knows World Art Soul Spirit Color Art Is Sunset Works Of Art

Book:Dusk of Dawn: An Essay Toward an Autobiography of a Race Concept

Source: Dusk of Dawn: An Essay Toward an Autobiography of a Race Concept

“Here is the chance for young women and young men of devotion to lift again the banner of humanity and to walk toward a civilization which will be free and intelligent; which will be healthy and unafraid; and build in the world a culture led by black folk and joined by peoples of all colors and all races - without poverty, ignorance and disease!”

Men World Young Humanity Culture Black Chance Walks Race Poverty Ignorance Color Civilization Healthy Disease Intelligent Folks Devotion Lifts Young Man Young Women Banner Unafraid

Author:W. E. B. Du Bois

“The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color-line, -- the relation of the darker to the lighter races of men in Asia and Africa, in America and the islands of the sea.”

Men Problem America Lines Race Sea Century Color Racism Relation Islands Asia Twentieth Century Racism In America Lighters Black Racism

Author:W. E. B. Du Bois

“I believe in Liberty for all men: the space to stretch their arms and their souls; the right to breathe and the right to vote, the freedom to choose their friends, enjoy the sunshine, and ride on the railroads, uncursed by color; thinking, dreaming, working as they will in a kingdom of beauty and love.”

Source: Darkwater: The Givens Collection

“Today I see more clearly than yesterday that the back of the problem of race and color lies a greater problem which both obscures and implements it: and that is the fact that so many civilized persons are willing to live in comfort even if the price of this is poverty, ignorance, and disease of the majority of their fellow men.”

Ifs Men Persons Facts Problem Today Lying Race Poverty Greater Ignorance Color Willing Comfort Disease Fellows Majority Yesterday Civilized Fellow Man Race And Color

Author:W. E. B. Du Bois

“There can be no perfect democracy curtailed by color, race, or poverty. But with all we accomplish all, even peace.”

Perfect Race Poverty Democracy Color Accomplish

Book:The World and Africa and Color and Democracy

Source: The World and Africa and Color and Democracy