Conservation of Races Essay

The United States of America, since its commencement, has been a melting pot of varied nationalities. opus the term melting pot sounds forthcoming, this is non the case in reality. galore(postnominal) times socializations collide due their differences in ideology, farming, and geographical proximity. Such culture clashes have marked the history of the United States. Race is usually scene of in the corporal sense with difference in skin color, haircloth, seventh cranial nerve features, and language. Although slipstream usually follows along physical lines, it is much more faraway reaching and extends into the social and cultural beliefs.In the previous(prenominal), the dominant trend was to redeem these beliefs separate, consequently increasing the feeling of racial unity and racism in society. History has shown us that man has used segregation as a method of non only retentivity the peace, but as well of charge the purity of a wake in tact. In 1897, an address to t he blackness Academy entitled The preservation of Races, W. E. B. Dubois states The chief, then which we must seriously study is this What is the real meaning of Race what has, in the past, been the law of step on it development, and what lessons has the past history of lavation development to indoctrinate the rising blackness mountain?I thought the caliber of Dubois intelligence and boldness to ask the suspense was compelling. Throughout this essay I will explore and illustrate how Dubois comes to resolution the questions, which he asked his audience. I found it easier to dissect the complex question into trinity separate questions. First I will illustrate how Dubois defines race. Then I will pinpoint where the basis of the law of race development is formulated. Finally, he answers the question what faeces lessons of past history of race development teach the rising negro? W. E.B Dubois writes that he believes that the conservation of races is the cornerstone of keepin g the black race pure and intact. Thus, for him, race preservation is not okay only with racial motives, but to help society better itself as a whole. The history of the world is outlined by the histories of different groups and races. He states, If it be true the history of the world is the history, not of individuals, but of groups, not of nations, but of races, and he who ignores or seeks to override the race idea in compassionate history ignores and overrides the central thought of history (pg.142).In The Conservation of Races Dubois stresses the importance of surveying the whole question of race. He criticizes a biologic account of race. He claims that such an account is inadequate because it fails to explain both(prenominal) the wide variety of physical traits within a race and the physical likenesses sh atomic number 18d by all humans. For example he states, Many criteria of race differences have in the past been proposed, as color, hair, cranial measurements and languag e. And manifestly in each of these respects differ widely (pg 142).Instead, Du Bois proposes a definition of race establish on sociohistorical criteria that emphasized cultural and political loyalty. He defines race as a vast family of human beings, generally of common countercurrent and language, always of common history, traditions and impulses, who are both voluntarily and involuntarily pains together for the accomplishment of certain more or less vividly conceived ideals of life (pg. 142). I would have to hold back with Dubois that race is a compounding of language, traditions, color, impulses, common blood and ideals of life. This is extremely evident in the anatomy of the world.You heap have people who are physically, spiritually, politically, socially, etc. very different be members of the same race. Although the wonderful developments of human history teach that the grosser physical differences of color, hair and bone go but a short way towards explaining the different roles which groups of men has played in Human Progress, yet there are differences- subtle, delicate, and elusive, though they may be which have silently but definitely separated men into groups (pg 142). Here Du Bois suggest an ideal of the law of race development.He further adds, At all times, however, they have divided human beings into races, which, while they perhaps transcend scientific definition nerveless, are understandably defined to the eye of the Historian and Sociologist (pg. 142). I think and maybe Du Bois would agree that the idea of race is an outdated, invalid scientific concept used to reason individuals and validate who is superior or inferior. As discussed in class I dont think racism will ever renounce to exist, because the ideal of race is far too prevalent from individuals of all sizes, shapes, and colors. And counseling on the illusion of race will never solve the conundrum of racism.The only way to stop racism is to end the classification of individuals based on meaningless physical characteristics as a whole and observe diversity. Finally, he answers the third part to his complex what can the lessons of past laws of racial development teach rising Negro people. By answering this question he attempts to motivate African Americans to create a recognizable culture and make a difference in the world. He believed that African Americans had potential. He thought that in order eliminate the problems African Americans were facing the focalization must first be on boosting the African American culture.He states, As such, it is our duty to conserve our physical powers, our intellectual endowments, our spiritual ideals as a race we must strive by race organization, by race solidarity, by race unity to the realization of the broader humanness which freely recognizes differences in men, but sternly deprecates inequality in their opportunities of development (pg. 145). Dubois also saw the need for one main intellectual entity, a Negro Acade my. Dubois eloquently stated, for all these products of the Negro mind, which we may call a Negro Academy.Not only is all this necessary for positive advancements, it is absolutely assertive for negative defense (pg. 145). He also notes that the African race has not yet been able to share its message. He sates, For the development of Negro genius, of Negro literature and art, of Negro spirit Negroes inspired by the vast ideal, can work out in its fullness the great message of humanity (pg. 144). In closing, races embody within themselves the answers modern societys problems. However, a better description of the status of the Negro message would be a work in progress.