This quote highlights how racial division and prejudice were the defining challenge of his time. It suggests that deep-seated biases prevent true equality and understanding among people, impacting society's progress. It speaks to any form of societal division.
Quote by W.E.B. Du Bois: “The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color‑line.”
Insight
Historical Context
The early 20th century in America was marked by extreme racial segregation and violence post-Reconstruction, with Jim Crow laws firmly in place. Du Bois wrote this reflecting on the systemic oppression faced by Black Americans.
About the Author
American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, author, and editor. He was a co-founder of the NAACP in 1909 and a leader of the Niagara Movement. His influential works include "The Souls of Black Folk," advocating for racial equality and justice.
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