Although arguments can be made in an attempt to define Dubois as either a functionalist or an interactionist, this paper will express those qualities which makes him primarily a conflict theorist with regards to race, class, and society . In Kornblum's and Julian's 2009 book, Social Problems, the two men lay out clear and concise descriptions of the 3 brands of social theories as they relate to social problems. The 3 categorizations are Functionalist, Conflict theorist, and the interactionist. The gentlemen described the functionalist as one who views society as a living organism comprised of interrelated basic elements, where all parts of the whole work in conjunction, maintaining the whole. In the functionalist school of thought deviance is described as any disruption of the unified whole, also referred to as the “system”. Functionalist believe that a social problem or deviance is the product of a failure of a set social expectation, which renders the presumed norms obsolete, creating a state of normlessness.
Kornblum and Julian also describes the foundation of the interactionist theorist, which holds that deviance or a social problem is subjectively ascribed based upon how society responds to an issue. The interactionist remedy deviance by reforming the presumed deviant through increased interactions with the accepted norms of behavior. Finally, Kornblum and Julian describes the conflict theorist as one who views society as being plagued by rifts due to inequalities in relation to culture, religion, ethnicity, gender and age along with other stratifications that cause societal division. Conflict theorist regard social problems or deviance as the product of conflicting societal values, and in order to resolve such issues the groups with opposing values must clash. Conflict theorist seek to establish strong social movements amongst those marginalized, at which point they engage the opposition in search of mutual accommodations. Based upon Korblum's definition of the conflict theorist, this essay will explain why Dubois was primarily a conflict theorist.
Over the course of Dubois' 95 years upon this earth, he left a vast wealth of knowledge and insight into his gatherings and perceptions pertaining to many issues, especially race, class and society. Although Dubois' struggle was for the advancement of colored people defeating the grips of racism, as described by the establishment of the NAACP, his struggle was truly a human struggle beyond the bounds of race. In conformity with Korblum's description of a conflict theorist, Dubois reached out to individuals suffering within the margins of oppression throughout the globe. In Dubois' Souls of white folk, he wonders aloud (with his type writer of course), as to the power structure of the white man and his audacity to impose his oppressive and imperialistic will, not solely upon the American Negro, but brutally on the backs of the Japanese, the Chinese, Latin Americans, the West Indies, etc. Dubois understood that beyond the racial restraints existed two classes, the majority nonwhite world and the white world. Dubois understood that the struggle at its most fundamental bases was the struggle between these 2 distinct groups in a clash for power. If only we could escape the present culmination of history, race would be of no consequence beyond the physical exterior, as deep as the flesh. Through militarization the white world acquired power through means such as the division of African Soil and enslavement. Dubois became a siren, an advocate for social organization as a product of knowledge and mobilization of those individuals cast aside and oppressed under white male domination.
The key attribute for a conflict theorist is conflict. Although Dubois did not advocate armed resistance in the most radical sense, his brand of conflict took place within academia and politics. Dubois recognized that the historical narrative was rewritten to sustain the concept of white supremacy, exalting all that is white as right. In Dubois' “conservation of Race”, he speaks of his book “The Negro” which explains the “Negros” influence on the establishment of civilizations throughout the globe, including the likes of what we now call Egypt. Dubois' studies and writings was in direct opposition to the dominating American/ Western value system which placed the value of whiteness above all else. This enlightenment sparked generations of great intellects, individuals who acted as a vanguard, inspiring mobilization of individuals such as the likes of Martin Luther King Jr.
Beyond academia Dubois established the NAACP, an organization designed to meet oppression in all of its manifestations head on. The establishment of the NAACP is an example of the establishment of a strong social movement designed to conflict with the oppressive power structure, preparing a platform and a mass voice for individuals suffering under the yolk of a racist society. The NAACP is a respected united front, which engages individuals and institutions opposed to equality, in search of a remedy. Today the NAACP is still a vital cornerstone in the advancement of not just colored people but all people. The NAACP addresses legal issues, provides scholastic funding, disaster relief, and an array of resources to individuals within the margins.
According to the New York times article, dated August 28th 1963, the day after Dubois Died, with the heading “WEB Du Bois Dies in Ghana”,
“As a sociologist, educator and writer, he frequently disagreed not only with whites but with members of his own race. Early in his career, he challenged the philosophy of Booker T. Washington. Dr. Du Bois was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, but later broke with the organization under conditions of bitterness.”
This excerpt expresses Dubois' conflict theorist mindset, to oppose notions opposed to what he perceived to be proper value principles. Dubois was the embodiment to standing up against injustice and remain standing until change comes about in a mutually beneficial manner.
Kornblum and Julian also describes the foundation of the interactionist theorist, which holds that deviance or a social problem is subjectively ascribed based upon how society responds to an issue. The interactionist remedy deviance by reforming the presumed deviant through increased interactions with the accepted norms of behavior. Finally, Kornblum and Julian describes the conflict theorist as one who views society as being plagued by rifts due to inequalities in relation to culture, religion, ethnicity, gender and age along with other stratifications that cause societal division. Conflict theorist regard social problems or deviance as the product of conflicting societal values, and in order to resolve such issues the groups with opposing values must clash. Conflict theorist seek to establish strong social movements amongst those marginalized, at which point they engage the opposition in search of mutual accommodations. Based upon Korblum's definition of the conflict theorist, this essay will explain why Dubois was primarily a conflict theorist.
Over the course of Dubois' 95 years upon this earth, he left a vast wealth of knowledge and insight into his gatherings and perceptions pertaining to many issues, especially race, class and society. Although Dubois' struggle was for the advancement of colored people defeating the grips of racism, as described by the establishment of the NAACP, his struggle was truly a human struggle beyond the bounds of race. In conformity with Korblum's description of a conflict theorist, Dubois reached out to individuals suffering within the margins of oppression throughout the globe. In Dubois' Souls of white folk, he wonders aloud (with his type writer of course), as to the power structure of the white man and his audacity to impose his oppressive and imperialistic will, not solely upon the American Negro, but brutally on the backs of the Japanese, the Chinese, Latin Americans, the West Indies, etc. Dubois understood that beyond the racial restraints existed two classes, the majority nonwhite world and the white world. Dubois understood that the struggle at its most fundamental bases was the struggle between these 2 distinct groups in a clash for power. If only we could escape the present culmination of history, race would be of no consequence beyond the physical exterior, as deep as the flesh. Through militarization the white world acquired power through means such as the division of African Soil and enslavement. Dubois became a siren, an advocate for social organization as a product of knowledge and mobilization of those individuals cast aside and oppressed under white male domination.
The key attribute for a conflict theorist is conflict. Although Dubois did not advocate armed resistance in the most radical sense, his brand of conflict took place within academia and politics. Dubois recognized that the historical narrative was rewritten to sustain the concept of white supremacy, exalting all that is white as right. In Dubois' “conservation of Race”, he speaks of his book “The Negro” which explains the “Negros” influence on the establishment of civilizations throughout the globe, including the likes of what we now call Egypt. Dubois' studies and writings was in direct opposition to the dominating American/ Western value system which placed the value of whiteness above all else. This enlightenment sparked generations of great intellects, individuals who acted as a vanguard, inspiring mobilization of individuals such as the likes of Martin Luther King Jr.
Beyond academia Dubois established the NAACP, an organization designed to meet oppression in all of its manifestations head on. The establishment of the NAACP is an example of the establishment of a strong social movement designed to conflict with the oppressive power structure, preparing a platform and a mass voice for individuals suffering under the yolk of a racist society. The NAACP is a respected united front, which engages individuals and institutions opposed to equality, in search of a remedy. Today the NAACP is still a vital cornerstone in the advancement of not just colored people but all people. The NAACP addresses legal issues, provides scholastic funding, disaster relief, and an array of resources to individuals within the margins.
According to the New York times article, dated August 28th 1963, the day after Dubois Died, with the heading “WEB Du Bois Dies in Ghana”,
“As a sociologist, educator and writer, he frequently disagreed not only with whites but with members of his own race. Early in his career, he challenged the philosophy of Booker T. Washington. Dr. Du Bois was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, but later broke with the organization under conditions of bitterness.”
This excerpt expresses Dubois' conflict theorist mindset, to oppose notions opposed to what he perceived to be proper value principles. Dubois was the embodiment to standing up against injustice and remain standing until change comes about in a mutually beneficial manner.
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