How does Du Bois use double consciousness to explain his statement: ‘The problem of the twentieth-century is the problem of the colour-line’.

In his essay, "Double Consciousness and the Veil," Du Bois introduces the existence of Double Consciousness, which is a recurring theme throughout every essay. Double consciousness refers to living with two identities: the "Negro" identity, with all of its nuances, and the "American" identity forced upon the Negro upon settling in the United States. The Negro is tasked with merging these two conflicting identities. He can never truly be "just" an American or "just" Negro, for the social condition of the United States does not allow it. The work of literature provides a constant reminder of the difficulties of merging identities for the African-American, particularly in a land that did not necessarily belong to them.