In W.E.B Du Bois’ “The Souls of Black Folk,” he describes the experience of black people in the United States as being defined by “double consciousness.” Here, he refers to the parallel identities marginalized communities, in his case, black people in America, are forced to experience. Du Bois sheds light on the essential aspect of the African American experience of navigating conflicting identities that disable the possibility of self-actualization. This is supported by Du Bois’ dismal tone throughout the piece, often prominent when describing the living situations of black people in the United States. The instances of systematic displacement and oppression describes by Du Bois also provide an important parallel to their evolution in the lives of the black community today.
