The Gift of Black Folk

W. E. B. Du Bois' The Gift of Black Folk (1924) is a collection of essays that revise European and British influence and emphasize the role of African Americans in building the nation. Du Bois recognizes the myth of inferiority and highlights the contributions of African Americans as workers, soldiers, and explorers, as well as their involvement in the movement for womens rights and their contribution to the arts and culture of the nation. This edition of the book is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 174 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: West Margin Press

The Gift of Black Folk (1924) is a collection of essays by W. E. B. Du Bois, written during his time at The Crisis, the official magazine of the NAACP. This work serves as a deliberate historical account that challenges the conventional narrative of European and British influence and highlights the significant contributions of African Americans in shaping the nation and establishing its distinct culture. Despite the challenges of slavery, war, and caste, as well as the ongoing Negro problem, Du Bois asserts that African Americans have been and continue to be a valuable asset to the United States, making indispensable contributions that have enabled America to thrive.

In his quest to rectify the misrepresentation of his people, Du Bois recognizes the myth of inferiority as the cornerstone of oppression. He endeavors to revise American history to accurately portray the story of his people, as exemplified in his magnum opus, Black Reconstruction in America (1935). Du Bois acknowledges that the failures of the Reconstruction era were largely due to the refusal to acknowledge Black individuals, whether enslaved or free, as fully human. Throughout these essays, he emphasizes the roles of African Americans as workers, soldiers, and explorers, situates them within the broader movement for women's rights, and celebrates their invaluable contributions to the arts and culture of the nation.

Presented in a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of W. E. B. Du Bois' The Gift of Black Folk stands as a classic of African American literature, reimagined for contemporary readers. It serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of African Americans and their profound impact on American history and society.

Dimension: 203 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781513135779