Essay Sample on Race & Social Construct: W.E.B. Dubois' Color Line, Veil Theories

Introduction

People are grouped into various socially-constructed groups that are based on observable traits such as skin color. These traits differentiate people from various races or ethnicities. The distinct characteristics can be advantageous or disadvantageous. W.E.B. Dubois used three sociological theories to explain the impacts of socially-constructed grouping in society; the color line, the double-consciousness, and the veil theories.

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Color Line Theory

The color line theory posits that people are divided into different social categories with different entitlements or privileges due to their color. W.E.B. Dubois experienced a color-line imposed by law or lawmakers to exercise state power in the United States of America (Banton 1113). He focused on the institutionalization of the social subordination of African-Americans in the USA. Multidimensionality existed where people differed in various aspects such as language, culture, religion, and appearances. However, the concept of the color line was introduced to deny the multidimensionality (Banton 1111). Differences in color had harmful impacts on the African-Americans who became victims of slavery and discrimination due to their color. Equally, in the 21st-century, differences in color or race caused harm to African-Americans and denied them their democratic rights. Racial or color discrimination is still exhibited in the health sector, whereby the burden of particular diseases such as cancer and premature deaths are higher in minority groups. Moreover, it is difficult for African-American students to access employment opportunities compared to their white colleagues (Banton 1121). However, the African-Americans have gained a particular level of freedom today compared to the past; for instance, there are African-American professors in the USA.

Main Focus

The veil focuses on how African-Americans in the USA are viewed through racial prejudice (Meer 10). Thus, W.E.B. Dubois stated that the veil led to double-consciousness as African-Americans tried to fit into American society. Double-consciousness focuses on how African-Americans have to look at themselves through the eyes of others (Du Bois 3). It involves African-Americans trying to affirm their American and African identities (Meer 8). The main argument of double consciousness is the presence of a veil that prevents African-Americans' full recognition. The theory is evident today in how black women who are academically successful feel pressured to present a self or identity acceptable to the world.

The veil and double consciousness theories relate to the Key and Peele comedy videos. The videos bring out two sides of a story in that the translator understands the speaker’s comments differently. For instance, when Obama talks of a white donating six million dollars, the translator feels that the white wasted his money (Key & Peele 1). The translator also talks of going against all instincts in his body to avoid conflicts (Key & Peele 2). This shows how the African-Americans struggle with two thoughts, two ideals, and two souls to fit in or avoid conflicts (Du Bois, 3). It also shows that African-Americans have to be self-conscious while doing things.

Conclusion

The Coates article explores the experiences or sufferings of African-Americans due to large-scale racial discrimination and enslavement. The author advocates that the U.S government should pay reparations to the descendants of those who were oppressed and enslaved. He begins by describing the experiences of Clyde Ross, who was a victim (Ta-Nehisi, 16). I also think that the African-Americans should be compensated because it is not about the money but preventing the descendants of the oppressed from questioning their citizenship. The reparations can be in the form of policies or programs that fight against inequality and social injustices on the African-Americans. The reparations can result in unity, cohesiveness, and peace in the U.S; hence, the U.S government should consider the reparations for such benefits.

Works Cited

Banton, Michael. "The Colour Line and the Colour Scale in the Twentieth Century." Ethnic and Racial Studies 35.7 (2012): 1109-1131.

Du Bois, William EB. The Souls of Black Folk: The Oxford WEB Du Bois. Vol. 3. Oxford University Press, 2014.

Du Bois, William Edward Burghardt. The Souls of Black Folk. Oxford University Press, (2008): 1-111.

Key & Peele1. “President Obama’s Anger Translator at White House Correspodent’s Dinner.” You Tube, Uploaded by The Daily Conversations, 2014,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6NfRMv-4OY

Key & Peele2. “Obama and Luther’s Farewell Address.” You Tube, Uploaded by Comedy Central, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3gIYgSa4qw

Meer, Nasar. "WEB Du Bois, Double Consciousness and the 'Spirit' Of Recognition." The Sociological Review 67.1 (2019): 47-62.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0038026118765370

Ta-Nehisi, Coates. "The Case for Reparations." The Atlantic.2014 of June. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/