We push below this mudsill the derelicts and half-men, whom we hate and despise, and seek to build above it--Democracy!
W.E.B. Du Bois: “We push below this mudsill the derelicts and half-men, whom we hate and despise, and seek to build above it--Democracy!”
Editor's note · Context
Du Bois critiques the foundations of democracy that exclude marginalized groups, highlighting the hypocrisy in its ideals.
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Around us the history of the land has centred for thrice a hundred years; out of the nation’s heart we have called all that was best to throttle and subdue all that was worst; fire and blood, prayer and sacrifice, have billowed over this…
If somewhere in this whirl and chaos of things there dwells Eternal Good, pitiful yet masterful, then anon in His good time America shall rend the Veil and the prisoned shall go free.
Our song, our toil, our cheer, and warning have been given to this nation in blood-brotherhood.
Let the ears of a guilty people tingle with truth, and seventy millions sigh for the righteousness which exalteth nations, in this drear day when human brotherhood is mockery and a snare.