B. Du Bois - 1593 Words

When people think of racial equality in America the first names that pop into their heads are often Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, or maybe Frederick Douglass. All of these are great choices, but, an often forgotten name that is not brought up in these discussions is W.E.B. Du Bois. An author, speaker, teacher, protester, sociologist, historian, certainly a renaissance man in the truest sense of the phrase. As an author, many of his writings have been very influential, from the time they were released and still to this day. As a speaker, Du Bois was often outspoken and made it a point to be clear where he stood on an issue. Du Bois the teacher was a very intelligent man who was growing into his views, and this time in his life would†¦show more content†¦His father left the family early, trying to earn a living by first opening a barber shop, and second, becoming a preacher. Neither of his ventures were very successful and soon contact between his parents faded, as his fathe r drifted out of his life at a young age. His family was fairly poor, but as Du Bois put it Wealth had no particular lure. (Darkwater: Voices From Within the Veil 10). Many of the other townspeople were more wealthy but not to the extent that made Du Bois feel jealous or overwhelmed. Du Bois got along fairly well in Massachusetts as there was a large population of European-American s who were generally accepting of him and his family. As a child, Du Bois would often play with white children, and at times even be The town leader of the gang of boys. (Darkwater: Voices From Within the Veil 11). During his time as a young child, race was not much of an issue and he didn t realize how important it would be until later in his life. The schools in his town were integrated as children of all races were taught together. Du Bois would go on to graduate from Searles High School at the age of 16 and afterwards, attend Fisk University, an HBCU – or historically black college, with dreams of going to Harvard. From 1885 through 1888, Du Bois would attend Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. During his time there he would begin to experience his first taste