Good The Veil And African American Double Consciousness Essay Example

Part 1

The issue of race and color has been a dominating factor in the American society in the last century. W. E. B. Dubois, a social theorist, embarked of addressing a universal social order that could handle the hot topic of racism not only in the United States but throughout the world. He stated that, “The problem of the 20th 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 seas.” He felt the pain of firsthand discrimination even from his fellow graduates from Harvard because of his skin color, even after attaining the same education with them. The line he refers to is drawn between two groups of people, whether on racial grounds or not but which creates a distinct difference between the two. The black American community is split in their identity and is conscious of their ‘twoness’; being black or African and also being American. A racial lens exists in America, such that no man is seen as American but as either black or white.
The American Society displaced blacks in a sense that they were judged by the color of their skin and were not viewed as equal to the rest of the society. It is that discrimination that set a veil that sieved blacks from mainstream society, there could never change their identities even if they wanted to and, therefore, have to live the rest of their lives knowing that they have a split identity. According to Dubois, Africans are always reminded of their fate when they look at each other knowing how the rest of the society looks at them. Black Americans cannot see themselves through the perspective of others and cannot see the problem of race. They are victims of a society that brands them, and it is through this branding that they become aware of themselves as blacks.

Part 2

Today, the United States still faces the problem of racial prejudice and discrimination just like it was a century ago. The situation has not changed much especially when looking at job classifications and how different races get employment. Du Bois may have received the same ill treatment from his fellow graduates and today; it is common occurrences to have black Americans take up low cadre jobs as compared to their white counterparts. Perhaps during the time of Du Bois the American Society was reeling in the aftermath of slavery and that acquisition of education was not a common occurrence in the African American society at the time. But not so much has changed and even if it has, the veil of race dominates society so much so, that blacks still opt for blue collar jobs.
The Unite States still reels in racial discrimination because almost everything is structured along racial privilege. Whites are considered true whites while blacks are still underprivileged. Going by their social lives and experiences, African Americans still swallow that bitter pill of not being good enough because they are Africans. The non-white color prompts non-whites to develop a dual awareness for them to survive in the highly stereotyped 21st century just like it was in the 20th century. Blacks are often viewed as a representation of their entire race whereas whites are seen as individuals. Until this is over and done with, and the veil lifted, the problem of race in the United States will persist.