The Souls of Black Folks, Essay Example

In a very diverse multicultural society, it is essential that we are taught to respect the value of human differences. There is no magic formula to unify the various beliefs, cultures, practices, and ways of living together in perfect harmony. It is far easier to judge an individual because they are different than you, than it is to take the time to understand the differences. DuBois addressed the battles that the black society incurred during a time of great resistance. However, these same battles still play out in different manners. This is concerning that after centuries we have yet to be able to create a society that embraces differences instead of diminishing them. The real question that comes into place is as what point do we as individuals need to intervene?  We need to be the change in society that we want to see. In order for respect of differences to grow, we have to take a stand to do our part and to be willing to intervene when the need arises.

Even though there is a significant amount of debate in considering Kant’s formulations on categorical imperatives, there is also a lot of relevance to this ideal as well. According to Kant the two formulas are: “Always treat persons (including yourself) and ends in themselves, never merely as a means to your own ends. Act only on that maxim that you can consistently will to be a universal law” (Kant). This means we should treat a person in a manner for personal gain. It requires respect, which prevents the option for treatment of equality. This is a generalized method for how one would treat individuals based on a set circumstances. Based on this, it is believed that respecting differences is a categorical imperative.

So the question that arises is, must we respect all differences? Sadly, there was a period in history where individual’s had to fight for basic rights based on their skin color. During the height of the animosity in reaching social equality and legal justice between blacks and whites, there were many suggestions that clearly added fuel to the fire. “Journalist Ida Wells Barnett encouraged blacks to engage in economic boycotts and carry guns for self-defense. Methodist Bishop Henry McNeal Turner advocated a return to Africa”. (DuBois, p.364) Because individuals decided that differences were enough to require an individual to pick up a gun, or desire to abolish an entire race from society, does not dictate respect.

There is no option for us, as a society, to not respect all differences. By respect the differences, it is not justify, or even agreeing, it is the state of mind that we can simply agree to disagree. Void of violence, retaliation, or even derogatory words. This is not always easy. External factors can also affect how individual’s act. They don’t think before they speak. It is far cooler to make fun of the minority because others will laugh making me look better. Even a century after the times that W.E.B DuBois discussed of such inequality, minorities are still essentially fighting for their rights.

Booker T. Washington advocated conciliation of the south, industrial education, submission, and silence towards the political and civil rights. However, he is probably best known for his statement, “In all things purely social we can be as separate as the five fingers, and yet as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress” (DuBois, p.365). This is a great representation of society even to date. We can be separate on our views, and still move forward together as society. History is a means to learn, to teach society of the past and to allow them to make a better future. However, it is mind boggling to know that we still fail to see the value in human differences.

During the 1900’s, Washington believed that the African Americans would only be able to survive through submission. He requested that they voluntarily give up, temporarily, their political power, civil rights, and education for their youth. However, they determined, “They do not expect that the free right to vote, to enjoy civic rights, and to be educated, will come in a moment; they do not expect to see the bias and prejudices of years disappear at the blast of a trumpet; but they are absolutely certain that the way for a people to gain their reasonable rights is not by voluntarily throwing them away and insisting that they do not want them; that the way for a people to gain respect is not by continually belittling and ridiculing themselves; that on the contrary, Negroes must insist continually, in season and out of season, that voting is necessary to modern manhood, that color discrimination is barbarism, and that black boys need education as well as white boys” ((DuBois, p.368) It has never been a solution to allow unequal treatment. The solution to this problem is clearly in what we as individuals and as society continues to allow.

Understanding the importance of respect for all, it is just as important to be a part of the change. This would require one to consider on what grounds can you intervene in a situation that you consider to be unjust? This question is not one that is easy to answer. In many instances, the attempt to defend or intervene backfires and makes situations worse. But it is safe to say that we as society will never evolve if we as individuals do not mandate it. Looking the other way when a supervisor treats a minority poorly. Allowing our neighbors to opening use racial slander in everyday conversation. Watching the cashier be openly mean because the individual placing orders is having a difficult time communicating. This is society just as it was a century ago, where inequality was an everyday way of life.

So when would one choose to intervene? The answer is clear, whenever and wherever opportunity rises. This is by no means a suggestion to carry a gun and boycott economy. It is a plea to intelligently and respectfully demand that our society act with respect for all. This is not just for racial issues, it is for all differences, including religion, sexual orientation, cultural practices, and other factors that ignite the fuse for inequality. Society has grown to have so many difference in its composition that there are fewer and fewer that are truly alike. This in theory should be enough of a reason to intervene in the event that a need arises.

There was a video floating around social media that was merely an experiment. The stage was an unnamed college campus and the script was a white male pushing a smaller minority on the ground and standing over top of them and screaming. The experiment was to see who would step in and aid the minority. The video was a sad reality of the fact that more individuals watched or walked away than jumped in to help. This is a perfect example of when intervention was necessary. The point when it is acceptable for someone to physically and verbally attack anyone based on their dissimilarities.

By intervening, no one is suggesting that one puts their underwear on the outside of their pants and ties a cape on and run out the front door. It is merely taking a stand when situations arise that should not be taking place. Being the friendly voice that quiets the mean cashier when the customer is having difficulties ordering. Politely asking the neighbor to refrain from using racial slurs. And turning in the supervisor who has determined it is an acceptable business practice to treat minorities poorly at work. Simply demanding that the society that surrounds us acts with respect is a good start to making the necessary changes.
What it means to be human and what justifies us living together in a political union is also an important part of differential respect. A perfect example is the demand that has risen for “In God We Trust” to be removed off the currency that we uses on a daily basis. Is this demand necessary? Is it breeding inequality? This is the part where society can agree to disagree, however still have a political union. The individuals who are arguing to have God removed from money, are not dictating the rights of the people who believe in God. They are not asking for the church doors to be bolted shut, Bibles to be burned, and religion to be banned. They are asking for a separation between church and state. Meaning they should not have to have God on currency because they do not believe that God exists. Just like they are not dictating others beliefs, they do not feel that they should have God imposed upon them.

In order for respect of differences to grow, we have to take a stand to do our part and to be willing to intervene when the need arises. There have been battles and advocates who have fought for equality, justice, and respect for centuries. At this point it seems like we, as a society, should be far more accepting and respectful of differences. Sadly, that is not the case. It is time for individuals to feel the need to mediate in situations that institute disrespect. Society will always have different beliefs, races, and other distinguishing factors that can serve as a means of inflicting inequality, or building respect. It is time that we do more of the lateral and stop repeating history. It is time for a change, if not we will still be having this same debate in the century to come.

Work Cited

DuBois, W.E.B. from The Souls of Black Folks. (1903) Print.

Kant’s Moral Theory. Web. 12 April 2014. http://personal.bellevuecollege.edu/wpayne/kant.htm