The Souls of the Black Folk - Book Report/Review Example

Du Bois describes matters in detail. The reader is pulled in to the story and is made to feel the confusion and pain of the others. The author is not afraid of showing true emotions as well as tragedy. Therefore, the book reveals the truth to society. Though the people described in the book look content, they are not truly happy since they are lacking hope. Du Bois is also able to show his personal emotions and the true history still remains. Obviously, he feels that blacks and poor people should be given a fair chance in life.

Today, scholars are able to examine the current implications thanks to Du Bois through the examination of matters. Economic inequality, segregation in urban cities and poverty act as evidence of the effects of racism. Chapter one to seven gives an explanation of the lifestyles of confederate states. The story of abolition is then introduced (Du Bois). Du Bois familiarizes the reader with organizations like the Freedman and other societies. Such societies were of great help to the freed slaves as well as to the poor white people.

Black leadership emerges and Du Bois allows the reader to see the two sides of the story. Booker T Washington, a famous black leader, asked blacks to surrender to the whites when it came to voting. In terms of economics, blacks were given the land that was later snatched. Some people would have to work extra hard to acquire land since the rent was extremely high and unfair for them. Du Bois narrates the story of a man who worked for some forty-five years and did not own anything. The book further highlights the significance of religion and the black church.

Du Bois says that religion sustained and empowered people. He acknowledged the black church as the center of life. Religious needs are met in church and the institution serves as an arena for education. Moreover, the church provides sanctuary from racism, discrimination and other stresses (Du Bois). Being the oldest organization to be owned by blacks, the church cultivates an identity for the blacks. The Souls of Black Folk is a tale of the history of not only the black folk but of the whole American nation as a whole.

The book can be used as a lesson for the future, and prevent us from making the same old mistakes. Issues of ethnicity and cultural differences should not be ignored. Rather, they should be respected and embraced.