Question

W.E.B. Du Bois identifies two distinct ethical tendencies generated by the Black-American experience during the aftermath of the Civil War, and he refers to them as “the writhing of the age in black.” What are these ethical tendencies, how do they relate to the modern narrative of progress, and why do they pose a problem for “modernity?”

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) DuBois’ points out that ‘equality is how we live as opposed to an abstract’. There are certain pros and cons to this argument. When DuBois states that equality is how we live, it may be right but it is important to keep in mind that if we live with equal rights, it is a result of being treated equally. In other words, what DuBois defines as the disease is actually the symptom (for the lack of a better word). DuBois describes going to bed on a full stomach as equality, whereas, being given food is actually what equality really is.

When Du Bois coined the phrase “the writhing of the age in black”, he was referring to the double classes and double standards that would lead to uncertainty in the future of the lower classes and the African-American individuals.

Furthermore, DuBois also states that equality is not just an abstract. But if one is going to integrate equality in society through laws, legislation, rights and treatment, it needs to be an abstract or an ideal. Freedom is an ideal that states the inalienable rights of an individual. Only when freedom is recognised as an abstract or an ideal, does it truly become an ideal to live by. The result of such an ideal is clearly evident in the US constitution.

Implications in terms of modernity - * President Trump’s proposition of tax cuts that exempt several large co-operations from major taxes. This tax cut is a status-quo that makes people of the middle and lower middle class pay more. This is a situation that not only exhibits inequality but also a lack of equity and social responsibility. This may not be a problem of race, although, this situation highlights how double standards are exhibited in regulations and cause the "writhing" that Du Bois mentions.

A nation is to be successfully considerate of the poor and the rich. Lifting up the poor should never be equated with putting down the rich. All that will do is replace one minority with the other. The idea is to create a society where the privileged have a certain sense of social responsibility. This means that even when an individual comes out of poverty and enters a position of privilege, they bear the same responsibility that was shown to them during their time of need. A simple philosophy of “pay it forward.”