Morgan DiFelice

Du Bois, W.E.B. The Souls of Black Folk. New York: W.W. Dover
Dr. Graff
Publications, 1994.
HON 272
1 April 2015
Argument Map for The Souls of Black Folk

Through the evidence, it is

clear that Du Bois argues for
public education.

A. The Question

C. Evidence and Analysis

D. Conclusion

What is the solution to human

advancement within a society who Du Bois holds that
public education is the
recognizes the color-line?
solution to the ignorance
of citizens when it
comes to the color-line.
Du Bois
argues for
public .
Du Bois wants equal
education for
and public education for
all races.
all races.

B. Thesis/Main Point
W.E.B. Du Bois argues
that public education for all
members of society is the
solution to the color-line.

Du Bois explains how

education influences many
different parts of society

if some one complained of the ignorance of voters, we answered,

Educate them (Du Bois 1994: 105). Du Bois explains that in order to
have politically active black citizens, they must be educated about their
political surroundings. People who oppose black citizens voting argue that
they will not know what they are voting for or against, Du Bois gives a
simple solution: education.
But the chief problem in any community cursed with crime isthe
preventing of the young from being trained to crime (Du Bois 1994: 108).
Du Bois shows that not only is the solution to crime, and discrimination
against black people punishment for criminals, but the prevention of
crimes ie education. When citizens are more educated and have more
opportunities in their lives, they are drawn away from being criminals as
their only option in life.
Only by union of intelligence and sympathy across to color-line in this
critical period of the Republic shall just and right triumph (Du Bois 1994:
113). Du Bois clearly gives a solution to the problem of segregation: there
must be a unification of intellect through education, as well as compassion
for all races, especially black people.
Child-labor is to be found here in some of its worst phases, as fostering
ignorance and stunting physical development (Du Bois 1994: 88). Du Bois
explains how child-labor stunts the intellectual growth of children. With
this, he argues that black people need a public education in order to have
more opportunities for jobs other than farming which takes children away
from their education.
It is the public schools [which create] the greatest means of training
decent self-respecting citizens (Du Bois 1994: 108). Du Bois explains that
public schools are the answer to creating respectful, empathetic, citizens.