"How does it feel to be a problem?"
W.E.B. Du Bois asks that question in his essays "The Souls of Black Folk." In one of his essays, he states that when asks that question, he can barely say a word. He tells that it is actually a strange experience to be a problem to one who has never have been anything else. I found this question to be very witty. If I were asked the same question, I would not know how to answer it myself.
"That day is past. Bitter was the day when I saw my young children unschooled."
In one of his many poems, A New Song, Langston Hughes expressed his delight in the passing of the former day when his brothers and sisters, both in blood and community were unable to recieve an education because of the color of their skin. Now, they have a voice in the community. They are able to vote, and make decisions as any human should be able to do in society. That day was bitter but now they could sing a new song, because the pain of the past centuries will be replaced with a more joyous feeling.
"History tells us that every oppressed class gained true liberation from its masters through its own efforts."
Again, from the writings of Langston Hughes. This is seen in women, the poor, African Americans and those of other ethnicities. Women for example have been oppressed for several centuries, but with the aid of feminists such as Susan B. Anthony, our voices are being heard. The poor also have a long way to go, because it takesa lot of mental strength to pick themselves up and be able to want to strive to make it to the top. There are African Americans who suffer the horrible effects of slavery till today, as well as Native Americans who have high suicide rates. But for those who break through from their oppression only broke throguh because of their own efforts. Someone had to stand up to lead the people to gain tthe freedom that they so deserve, popular examples being doctor Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.
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