Misled by selfish dreamings of personal life forever, we have neglected the true and practical immortality through the endless life of children's children.
W.E.B. Du Bois: “Misled by selfish dreamings of personal life forever, we have neglected the true and practical immortality through the…”
Editor's note · Context
This statement reflects Du Bois's concern for the long-term impact of neglecting future generations in favor of personal ambitions.
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By 1830 slavery seemed hopelessly fastened on the South, and the slaves thoroughly cowed into submission.
And yet, being a problem is a strange experience,—peculiar even for one who has never been anything else, save perhaps in babyhood and in Europe.
Alas, with the years all this fine contempt began to fade; for the words I longed for, and all their dazzling opportunities, were theirs, not mine.
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.