Double Consciousness

By Adreon Walker-Nichols

W.E.B. DuBois view on Double Consciousness

Double consciousness in the Black community can be seen as a form of psychological enslavement. Rooted in the trauma of slavery and continuing into modern-day America, it creates internal conflict within a racist societal structure. Black individuals often live in a state of self-surveillance—constantly aware of how they’re perceived, who they’re around, and what they say or do. This duality acts as a double-edged sword: the desire to belong in America while also yearning for connection to African roots that were violently stripped away. As a result, the Black community continues to struggle with a fractured sense of identity in America. Terms involving – “stop acting White”, or “Your Ghetto”, or “You’re not black Enough”, are examples of the black community being attacked with these statements and other inappropriate slurs.

The constant exposure to racial Trauma and social hypervigilance contribute to cognitive and emotional disturbances (MPhil, 2025). WEB Dubois expresses how double consciousness is not just a biological construct of Black Americans, but also a social construct. Dubois wrote a book called, “In The Souls of Black Folk”, where it is noted of the black community being a structured racist society and are forced to see themselves in that lens. Through statistical measures of wealth, social class, and personal point of views, “White America” constantly reminds Black Americans of the inability to rise in an unbalanced system, no matter the immense efforts they put in. (Itzigsohn & Brown, 2015). From Du Bois theory of double consciousness, it is relevant to social and political areas within the 21st century of the U.S. Double consciousness alone can be go beyond exemplifying “Racial legal status”. DuBois book, “The Souls of Black Folks”, notes that slavery took on a different form of Emancipation and Black people’s unconscious internalization(Esubalew, 2021). As it is known, Slavery has been the most impactful history that is attached to African Americans. It is also where racism, inequality, and discrimination was born. With it being both a burden and an instrument in seeking stability for the future of the African American Community. DuBois has defined the concept of Double Consciousness as a way for one self to not see through their own lens – the lens of a victim of discrimination and racial inequality – but through the lens of Prejudice whites. This results in averted conflict between the two groups. Mainly for the Black community. Esubalew further explains that DuBois sees that Black Americans can separate the two existence of African and American, due to the superior ideologies and “truths” of the Black community. This in turn makes them take the opinions of the dominant group and identify themselves as such while fighting for a new identity. According to what DuBois stated in his book, “The Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight”. This quote is a representation of how DuBois doesn’t see himself through his own alone.

He only sees himself through the revelation of the world (Esubalew, 2021). Dubois gives good examples of the pros and cons of the Black American double consciousness experience in America. The veil that was mentioned before creates and invisible line between black and whites in America due the perspectives that has been cultivated within society. DuBois became aware of this veil at an early age of his life around 6 to 8 years old. With that, DuBois found it rather pathetic and insulting that his mere existence was reduced to a problem of his own skin color and intelligence. Writer L.E. Walker, writing about DuBois view of Double consciousness, mentions two things to be aware of in relation to double consciousness. The second consciousness, to be more specific is the “sensation” from reflecting from one self. This can also relate to society’s concept of “what-it-is-to-be black” that was made up by others who are racially prejudiced. University of Virginia, a Professor of Politics, Lawrie Balfour has also studied double consciousness. She calls it “an internal echo of white America’s Judgement” on the Black community. To Add relations to that, DuBois mentions within his “Conservation of Races” essay, where the judgement about a black person’s “natural abilities” or “political, intellectual, and moral status” appears incorrect, and altered by Racism. (L.E. Walker, April 2019). The example of the “two souls” that Black Americans are struggling with, comes from the contrary negative beliefs about the black race. Doctors and Ministers taught by the whites are making them see their black brethren in a very dwindling viewpoint because they’re acting “Formal” or not acting “White” as most would say.

Walker also states that the Black community is also forced to see themselves through the hateful eyes in a world that is controlled and ordered by those who condemn them. It even goes as far for black people to also belittle themselves. Due to constant reinforcement of being called “loud” or “law-breakers”, the Black Community is in a victimize mentality wherever they go and whoever they talk to about living as Black person. Walker have also mentioned – according to DuBois – it does seem unlikely that these negative feelings towards the Black Community were eventually going to be internalized; The black community taking these negative feelings and points of views and looks at themselves the same way (L.E Walker, April 2). Even though Double Consciousness was important to look into, DuBois did not think many people would understand it, so appointed it towards to the black elite – The Talented Tenth.

Pan African Studies Encyclopedia

Double Consciousness

W.E.B. DuBois view on Double Consciousness

Works Cited