Civilrights was discussed in class as an idea that the state owes itscitizens certain protections, among these is equal treatment and protectionbefore the law. Although DuBois argued that Black communities experiences a”double consciousness” in their social and political lives despite the powerfulgains civil rights movements maintained. DuBois concept of double consciousnessdescribes the feeling that an individual has when they have more than onesocial identity. which makes it difficult for them to develop a sense of self.DuBois thought that African Americans lived in an oppressive society that disregardedthem as equals. Meanwhile the African-American culture encouraged dignity and equality.This type of double consciousness forced the African Americans to seethemselves from the perspective of both cultures, making it extremelychallenging for them to merge their African American culture with theirAmerican identity.
DuBoisconcept could have potentially informed later thinkers/activists like Malcom X.Malcolm X was an African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist. Headvocated that white society actively worked in order to keep African-Americansfrom empowering themselves and achieving economic, political and social achievements.
While the civil rights movement fought against racial segregation, Malcolm Xadvocated for the complete separation of African Americans from whites. He suggestedthat separate country for black people in America should be created. He disregardedthe civil rights movement’s approach of nonviolence, and claimed that AfricanAmerican people should defend themselves “by any means necessary.”
