Chapter 6: W. E. B. and ME: The Soul of a Black Academic

Poet Dudley Randall wrote a much anthologized poem titled, “Booker T. and W. E. B.” about an imagined dialogue between W. E. B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. In the poem, the two leaders argue about what is better for Black people, the life of the mind, or the ability to do manual labor. This mind-body split is reminiscent of the debate Guinea-Bissau author Camera Laye faced in his book, The Dark Child (1953/1994). As the protagonist graduated from secondary school, he and his classmates were surrounded by parents, family, and well-wishers. As the headmaster called out each student’s name, a parent or family member held up a rake, hoe, or blacksmith’s bellows, symbolizing that boy’s future as a farmer or craftsman. When the protagonist heard his name called, he was mortified that his parents were holding up a pen, symbolizing their hope that he would pursue more education.