Du Bois and Hughes

The Nation has not yet found peace from its sins; the freedman has not yet found in freedom his promised land. Whatever of good may have come in these years of change, the shadow of a deep disappointment rests upon the Negro people, – a disappointment all the more bitter because the unattained ideal was unbounded save by the simple ignorance of a lowly people. –W.E.B. Du Bois (1903)

            The Nation is still guilty for allowing slavery. The freed people are not mentally free; their mindsets are limited. Being freed from slavery was good, but now they must do for themselves. Not knowing how to better themselves is disappointing.

            The latter part of this passage is true even today.  People do not educate themselves properly. They expect too much from too little and are too willing to “cut corners”.

Who said free? Not me?

Surely not me? The millions on relief today?

The millions shot down when we strike?

The millions who have nothing for our pay?

For all the dreams we’ve dreamed

And all the songs we’ve sung

And all the hopes we’ve held

And all the flags we’ve hung,

The millions who have nothing for our pay-

Except the dream that’s almost dead today.

Langston Hughes (1938)

            He would not say black people are free because some many rely on government aid. He would not say black people are free because of all the unjust things that are done to us. He would not say black people are free because after we’ve done many services, there is no pay, except for a dream that is almost forgotten. 

Valerie