Woodrow Wilson, “An Open Letter to Woodrow Wilson”
Shortly after the inauguration of Woodrow Wilson as President, DuBois penned an open letter published in The Crisis which pointed out to the newly elected Chief Executive that “the Negro problem is in many respects the greatest problem facing the nation, and we believe that you have the opportunity of beginning a just and righteous solution of this burning human wrong.” DuBois closes his letter by listing the primary things which black American males desire: to be treated as men, to vote, to have their children educated, for lynching to be stopped and the right to a job and property.
Fredrick Douglass, “Dictionary of American Biography”
DuBois wrote the entry for Douglass published in the 1930 edition of this volume. He describes Douglass as a commanding presence who so impressed listeners at his public appearances that many questioned whether he could ever possibly have really been a slave. This, according to DuBois, was that motivated him to write his autobiographical memoir Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.
Jim and Julia, “The Comet”
“The Comet” is a short story in the science fiction genre describing the aftermath of an apocalyptic astronomical event which appears to have left only a black man and a white woman as survivors. Saved by mere coincidence, the two discover each other; though he is a just a poor bank employee and she is a woman of wealth and privilege they get past their racial divide. Until it turns out that they weren’t the lone survivors, anyway.
Eugene Debs, “If Eugene Debs Returned”
On the occasion of what would have been his 100th birthday, the life and accomplishments of Eugene V. Debs is paid homage to by DuBois. After outlining the various manners by which the concept of socialism preached by Debs has been corrupted and perverted since his death, DuBois focuses on what he believes would be the one single aspect of American life in 1956 that the man who who nearly one million votes for President as a radical socialist would find most appalling. That would be the apathy of voters and the cause of this carelessness toward the privilege of voting, which DuBois dissects as a lack of significant differentiation between the two political parties.
Jesus Christ, “Jesus Christ in Texas”
Jesus Christ has returned in, of all places, Waco. The white Texans there do not recognize the Lord they pray to in church every Sunday—well, most Sundays, anyway—as their long-awaited saviors. How could they? Not with skin that dark.
