W.E.B. Du Bois - Returning Soldiers The Crisis (1919) Essay - 1

W.E.B. Du Bois - Returning Soldiers The Crisis (1919) - Essay Example Du Bois, did not attempt to take any particular side but his primary focus was on engaging in internationalism across boundaries between nations which he terms as ‘inter- nation’ (Du Bois) ‘Returning Soldiers’ by Du Bois, in ‘The Crisis’ (1919) was an outcry of all the struggles suffered by the thousands of black men who fought bravely in bitter resignation unto their last drop of blood for America, with a hope of a better tomorrow. In Du Bois’s words –‘We fought gladly†¦for America and her highest ideals, we fought in the far – off hope, for the dominant southern oligarchy entrenched in Washington.’ (Du Bois) However, they were disillusioned because unfortunately the circumstances did not change and the struggle continued relentlessly with the war claiming destruction to both life and property. Du Bois, accuses America of being vindictive in their approach which forced the blacks to retaliate and fight. In a backlash, Du Bois expresses his views in ‘The Crisis’ which came in for heavy criticism from all quarters, because he accused, the America they fought for, of gloating in lynching, disfranchising its own citizens, encouraging ignorance, stealing from them and insulting them. In argument about lynching that Du Bois speaks of, we understand that lynching was very much present then and it ceaselessly continues even today. He describes lynching in the following words – ‘Barbarism of a degree of contemptible nastiness unparalleled in human history.’ (Du Bois) Some examples of people who were victims of lynching are Rodney King, African Americans, Mexican and Asian immigrants, Oscar Grant and many others. The lynching that Du Bois speaks of, continues even today by punishing, torturing and killing vulnerable individuals who dare to raise their voice against them. Disfranchisement of its own citizens