Political Quotes

W.E.B. Du Bois: Through history, the powers of single black men flash here and there like falling stars, and die sometimes before the…

On the recordJanuary 1, 1903
Through history, the powers of single black men flash here and there like falling stars, and die sometimes before the world has rightly gauged their brightness.
Said by
W.E.B. Du Bois

Editor's note · Context

Reflecting on the historical contributions of Black individuals, Du Bois laments how their brilliance often goes unacknowledged or is cut short.

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