African-American Studies Analysis Essay

The Influence of the 1960s on Black Studies

The 1960s saw a number of societal and political upheavals that helped shape black studies as it is today. However, over time, the discipline has undergone significant changes. Changes were made as a consequence of important discussions or problems with Black studies. The main discussion focused on the segregation and unification of education between W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. The Great Migration of African-Americans from the South to where they are now, on the other hand, was the primary problem. It took place between 1910 and 1980. The two occurrences have posed challenges to African-American Studies’ past and current. Generally, this paper is an essay on how the issues/debates have influenced the history and present state of the black studies.

The Leaders of the African-American Community

The two famous leaders of the African-American society in the late 19th and 20th century were Du Bois and Washington. However, they strongly conflicted on plans for black social and economic advancement. Their differing ideas are also reflected in the present discussions on how to stop class and racial discrimination, and the duty of black headship in the education system of United States (Spillers 67). Washington, the top influential black headship of his era, presented the idea of self-assistance, racial solidarity and accommodation. He advised the African-Americans to admit discrimination for some time as the focused on advancing themselves through working hard and material success. He believed that education is relevant in all aspects of life including farming and industrial skills. Additionally, he considered education to play a part in nurturing good virtues of a person such as patience and enterprise. He commented that education would help the blacks get their respect from whites and being completely acknowledged as citizens thus including them in all sections of society.

The Opposition to Washington’s Ideas

Du Bois, a black intellectual, researcher and political thinker strongly opposed Washington’s ideas and philosophies. He argued that Washington’s plan would not help but rather extend the white cruelty and domination over the blacks. Du Bois proposed political deed and a civil rights plan (DuBois 63). He was among the pioneers of NAACP. Additionally, Du Bois reasoned that the social change could be achieved by advancing the small teams of college educated African-American. He referred to them as “the Talented Tenth”.

The Influence of the Washington/Du Bois Debate

The Washington/Du Bois debate divided the black leaders into two groups: the conservative followers of Washington and his major criticizer. The Du Bois theory of agitation and demonstration for civil rights was first portrayed by the Civil Right movement which started to advance in the 1950’s and blasted in the 1960’s (DuBois 31). The use of Civil Right movement to pass a certain information or ask for something has since then been seen in the Black Studies. In the contemporary society, blacks still hold rallies and movements to fight for the rights and reduce discrimination because of their skin colour.

The Impact of the Great Migration

On the other hand, Washington currently is linked, maybe unfairly, with the self-assistance, Republican or Thomas Sowell group of the black society and its headships (Washington 17). The world of Islam and Maulana Karenga’s Afrocentrism are as a result of the ideas and philosophies of Washington. However, the debate between Du Bois and Washington was not the only major event that has significant influence in the history and present state of the Black studies. The Great Migration of the African-Americans from the south to where they are presently was also significant in the Black studies.

The Effects of the Great Migration

Millions of blacks escaped from the South to look for better life and education (Balthaser 369). This action remade the country in ways that are still recognized currently in the history of America. The nation had finally reached a point of no return in matters related to racial justice which had been a major issue for many years. This was the year that many blacks had suffered and showed their struggle for equality in education and other aspects. The year had scenes such as the killing of Medgar Evers, George Wallace not allowing black students enter the University of Alabama and Martin Luther King Junior’s speeches and letters. The blacks were tired of the discrimination that they went through in the South and had promised to run to the North and West. In the South, they were given tedious jobs and paid little amounts. They were also not allowed to vote.

The Impact of the Great Migration on African-American Communities

Before the Great Migration, 90% of the African-Americans were living in the South but after this event more that 47% of the blacks were living in the North and West (Gates 17). In their new destination they would take part in democracy and force the North to concentrate on the injustices in the South. The Great Migration played a role in exposing the racial splits and inequalities that in many ways continue to be seen even in the present United State. The escape of the blacks showed that they were confined to neither South nor the past and were therefore ready for change.

The Integration of African-Americans

The migration helped the African-Americans to be more integrated into society. They worked and lived more closely with those in the North and West who were mostly European Americans. The difference between blacks and whites reduced to some extent and their children got a chance of associating with those of the whites in school. This migration caused most of the first African-American schools to be built in the North and West part of America but later schools were constructed that accepted both blacks and whites.

The Influence of the Du Bois/Washington Conflict and the Great Migration

Finally, the history and current state of the Black Studies were mainly influenced by the Du Bois/Washington conflict and the Great migration. The happenings helped the blacks fight for their self-identification and recognition in the society. Additionally, it the occasions led to changes in how the blacks were being referred in the United States: from blacks to Africana to African-American. The current state of America education system integrates the African-Americans (Tozer, Steven, Paul and Guy 71).

Work Cited

Balthaser, Benjamin. “Killing the documentarian: Richard Wright and documentary modernity.” Criticism 55.3 (2013): 357-390.

Du Bois, William Edward Burghardt, ed. Black Reconstruction in America: Toward a history of the part which black folk played in the attempt to reconstruct democracy in America, 1860-1880. Routledge, 2017.

Du Bois, William Edward Burghardt. The souls of black folk. Oxford University Press, 2008.

Gates, Henry Louis. Life upon these shores: Looking at African American history, 1513-2008. Alfred a Knopf Incorporated, 2011.

Spillers, Hortense J. “The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual: A Post-Date.” boundary 2 21.3 (1994): 65-116.

Tozer, Steven, Paul C. Violas, and Guy B. Senese. School and society: Historical and contemporary perspectives. McGraw-Hill, 2002.

Washington, Booker T. Up from slavery. Simon and Schuster, 2013.