Journal #20 W.E.B. Du Bois: The "What If" Game!

QUOTE:

“I had thereafter no desire to tear down that veil, to creep through; I held all beyond it in common contempt” (Du Bois 896).


SUMMARY:

Du Bois decides that he no longer wishes to be accepted, in other words, to be “white.” Instead, he would rather be the “underdog” or the one who can at least rise above the hate.


RESPONSE:

I think everyone can relate to this quote. I wanted to raise my hand in class and talk about how I directly relate to this quote, just like Dr. Scott, so then I was going to wait until after class. However, it dawned on me: This is what journals are for! So referring to my life directly: It’s strange to say, “I’m glad I almost died and had to start over,” so I won’t exactly say that. However, I really wouldn’t change anything that has happened to me.

Sometimes I still wonder what would have happened if I wasn’t unconscious for the Missy video I had booked, or the show I was about to do in France, but then I would just be saying, “what if” to a million possibilities. And of course I would have had a much “easier” life if I didn’t spend a whole year in and out of the hospital, but I think at least a part of my character is stronger now. I’m pretty sure this is the same type of mindset Du Bois is referring to; the same type of mindset that makes people prefer working for their accomplishments, instead of being completely spoiled.

There seems to be more dignity in being the “bigger” person, or the “stronger” person, in the sense of confidence and respect, and in comparison to the selfish person who probably has a “weaker” personality. In regards to exactly what Du Bois is referring to however; I know a lot of people who are from different racial backgrounds, and I don’t think any of them wish that they were some other race. If anything, I know a lot more “white” people who wish that they were “black” or “Latin” or anything more “exotic.” Of course, this mindset is brand new compared to how long these races have been discriminated against.