Away back in the days of bondage they thought to see in one divine event the end of all doubt and disappointment; few men ever worshipped Freedom with half such unquestioning faith as did the American Negro for two centuries.
Du Bois describes the deep and unwavering belief in the transformative power of freedom held by enslaved African Americans throughout their history.
Share
More from W.E.B. Du Bois
This waste of double aims, this seeking to satisfy two unreconciled ideals, has wrought sad havoc with the courage and faith and deeds of ten thousand thousand people,—has sent them often wooing false gods and invoking false means of…
He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the world.
In song and exhortation swelled one refrain—Liberty; in his tears and curses the God he implored had Freedom in his right hand.
A million black men started with renewed zeal to vote themselves into the kingdom.