Flashback to February 18

American History

1963

W E B Du Bois, scholar/founder (NAACP), dies at age 95

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August 27, 1963, marks a significant date in history. On this day, a prominent scholar and founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), W. E. B. Du Bois, passed away at the age of 95 in Accra, Ghana. His death was not only a blow to the academic world, but also to civil rights movements across the globe.

W. E. B. Du Bois, often credited as one of the pioneers of sociological studies, held a unique perspective on race relations in America. His profound observations and powerful writings offered an insightful understanding of social issues prevalent within society. They proved to be instrumental in combating racial discrimination and promoting equality – a cause he vehemently championed throughout his life.

Born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Du Bois was a prominent scholar from a young age. He made history by becoming the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University. He used this platform to elevate his commitment to his race and his dedication to furthering their rights in an era fraught with racial segregation and gross inequality.

A veteran of many historically significant moments, Du Bois’ influence has left an indelible mark on American history. He is perhaps best known as the co-founder of the NAACP in 1909. The creation of this organization marked a significant milestone in the fight for civil rights as it played – and continues to play – a pivotal role in the advocacy for equality for people of color in America.

Given his civil rights advocacies, Du Bois was also instrumental in organizing several Pan-African Congresses, where he served as a spokesperson for Africans’ rights and their fight for independence from colonial forces. He studied and highlighted the disheartening conditions faced by African people under foreign rule and rallied support for their cause from the West. His work in Africa led him to settle in Ghana, where he continued to vocally champion the cause of black liberation.

However, it was not just his commitment to civil rights that was emblematic of Du Bois’ identity, his scholarship also played an integral role in shaping identity politics in America. His seminal work, ‘The Souls of Black Folk’, essentially defined the frame for understanding the 20th-century African American experience. Through his writings, he wove a narrative of resistance and resilience, offering insight into the psychology of people of color living in a largely prejudiced society.

Then, after a life dedicated to the upliftment and empowerment of his race, on August 27, 1963, in Accra, Ghana, Du Bois breathed his last. His death marked the loss of an exceptional scholar and a passionate civil rights activist whose contributions to society had forever changed the landscape of racial relations in America.

As we remember W. E. B. Du Bois on the anniversary of his passing, his scholarly work and unwavering commitment to civil rights continue to inspire new generations of academics and activists alike. His vision of a society free from racial prejudice remains robust within contemporary dialogues surrounding social justice and equity. His tireless efforts were not in vain. They continue to inform strategies aimed at countering racial discrimination and fostering greater equality in the United States and beyond.

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