Identity Identity was a common theme found throughout the writings we read this semester. The characters found this identity through many forms. Frederick Douglass figured out who he was though his education and the power of his manhood. The Narrator from James Weldon Johnson’s story found his identity through his music and his decision to not be associated with the white or black population. On the other side of the spectrum, Iola Leroy discovered her identity by accepting she is black. On way Douglass finds his identity is through education. He has always strived to educate himself. It was always his mission to better himself in any way that he can. Even from when he was young, Douglass tried to learn. He carried out his slave duties while…show more content… He felt that a more classical and theoretical education was the way to go. He makes a point that in order for African Americans to define and understand themselves they need an education. Du Bois says that even though they can’t change the past, they can still make a future for themselves. He knew that they were capable of more than just industrial work. He thought that many African Americans in academic institutions would adjust well and be able to apply their intelligence. Many had doubts that it would be possible for the black population to be successful in an academic setting. Du Bois felt that African Americans would be able to prove that they could be successful. He compares the these African Americans to his classmates in Europe and says that he has never “met men and women with a broader spirit of helpfulness, with deeper devotion to their life work, or with more consecrated determination to succeed in the face of bitter difficulties.” (Dubois 280) He also states that “four hundred Negros, many whom have been reported as brilliant students, have received the bachelor’s degree from Harvard, Yale, Oberlin, and seventy other leading colleges.” (Dubois 209) An education will allow African Americans to be successful and be taken seriously. Having these laborious jobs was almost like payed slavery. This was not much of change from where they were before. Du Bois thinks an education in academics is…show more content… Washington felt that an industrial education was the best option for them because it would be easier for them to get jobs this way. Dubois felt that a theoretical and classical education would lead them for a more successful life and would be taken more seriously. They both provided opportunities for blacks to help them move forward in life. They helped them find their place in American society.
Page 386 in Souls of Black Folk Dubois talks about how the songs sung by the slaves were songs of hope and faith in change. The moments for hopelessness become confidence. The slaves wish of a world of fair boundless justice. They want for one day people to be judged by their soul and not the color of their skin. Dubois asks if this is an acceptable way to think and do the sorrow songs speak the truth. This quote is significant to African American Literature because it sheds light on the songs sung by the slaves. Many of the slave owners and other white people thought that when the slaves sung that meant they were happy. These songs were really about the suffering and the changes they wanted. These songs were also had codes in them about secret meetings. Dubois showed that these songs meant a lot more than what the white population previously thought about these