W.E.B. DuBois and Race Theory

Overview

This lecture introduces W.E.B. DuBois, his contributions to sociology and race-conflict theory, explores the concept of race as a social construct, and traces the impact of his work on modern racial studies.

W.E.B. DuBois: Background and Achievements

• First African American to earn a PhD from Harvard.
• Professor, author, poet, and co-founder of the NAACP.
• Editor and co-founder of The Crisis magazine.

The Concept of Race and Social Construction

• Race was once viewed as a biological trait but is now understood as socially constructed.
• Societal definitions of race change over time and across cultures.
• Visual traits become "racial" only when society attributes importance to them.

Double-Consciousness and Racial Identity

• DuBois introduced "double-consciousness," the internal conflict of Black Americans viewing themselves through both American and Black identities.
• Living in a non-dominant race creates a fractured sense of self.

Race-Conflict Theory and Sociological Research

• DuBois’ work emphasized disparities between races due to societal structures, not biological inferiority.
• His study "The Philadelphia Negro" used data to show how lack of access to jobs and education harmed Black communities.
• Race matters because society assigns power and disadvantage through it.

Racial Formation Theory and Structural Racism

• Racial formation theory explains how society shapes and is shaped by racial categories.
• Modern sociologists highlight ongoing structural racism, such as wealth disparities.
• Willem Julius Wilson argued class can be a bigger factor than race, but class gaps are rooted in historical racism.

Activism and the NAACP

• DuBois co-founded the NAACP and used The Crisis magazine for advocacy and public awareness.
• The NAACP fought against segregation, lynching, and disenfranchisement through journalism and legal action.

Modern Racial Politics and Resistance

• Eduardo Bonilla-Silva’s "racism without racists" describes structural racism persisting despite less overt prejudice.
• Patricia Hill Collins discusses Black women's resistance strategies, redefining resistance in a racial context.
• Racial politics and resistance studies focus on how power structures are challenged by racial minorities.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Social Construction of Race — The idea that race is defined by societal beliefs, not biology.
• Double-Consciousness — The sense of having two identities as a Black person in America.
• Race-Conflict Theory — A framework analyzing inequalities and tensions between racial groups.
• Racial Formation Theory — The process by which societal forces define, maintain, and change racial categories.
• Structural Racism — Systemic inequalities embedded in political and legal institutions.
• Racial Resistance — Actions by racial minorities to oppose and change oppressive structures.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Prepare for next lecture on gender-conflict theory.
• Review key concepts: double-consciousness, social construction of race, and race-conflict theory.