In the late 1800’s through to the mid-20th century there was a “race question” that existed regarding the freedom and liberties of Black Americans following the reconstruction period of the civil war. These considerations prompted the response of the notorious case, Plessy v. Ferguson, questioning the legality of segregation by means of a train car where the Plaintiff, Homer Plessy, self-identified as 1/8th African American and white passing, was subjected to removal. As race amalgamation allowed for the blending of phenotypes or visible genes, there were many cases inquiring about the classification of race that people could claim, promoting the better known segregate terminology, “separate but equal” and making this practice constitutional. The contemplation regarding extending suffrage and other civil rights to Black Americans prompted the response of naturalists, white supremacists and Black activists alike whose usage of rhetorical devices were extremely critical in influencing audiences at that time. Not only is it important to understand the rhetoric at the time, but to analyze the community of discourse to which these authors belonged to better understand the warrant and the directive from which these messages come about. In analyzing W.E.B DuBois’, “The Strivings of the Negro People,” we are able to critique the rhetorical tools he uses to convince and eventually persuade his audience and their effectiveness of the writing at the time from a unique perspective because he is an educated Black man.
In order to begin the analyzation of DuBois’ writing in this particular article, it is paramount that we understand him as a person. His beliefs and ideologies, his goals and the communities that he belong to all help map out what he aim to accomplish thus determining whether or not he was successful.
In a time where social scientists used tainted data as outlined in, “The Mismeasure of Man”, by cranial measurements, “standard” tests of intelligence and otherwise biased devices DuBois takes a bit of a different approach by the use of pathos, or an emotional appeal. His article begins with an addendum outlining his educational background allowing for tinges of ethos sprinkled like parsley throughout the main content grounding his words in credibility, however, this is not his strongest appeal. By employing pathos, he is able to recreate his experiences as a Black man that have not been previously documented in such a manner. He is able to connect to the audience and speak to his double consciousness as a man who will never be seen as more than a problem. He plays off of the emotions of sympathizers who recognize his achievements but know that he will always be seen as a second class citizen and a veil that will always mask him no matter the upward trajectory of his triumphs. He pleads with the audience and even God as to why he was created to be so hopeless and wishes for his identities to exist harmoniously if only for his own self dignity and the pride of other little boys like him.
Dive Into Discourse 