The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife,—this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self. In this merging he wishes neither of the older selves to be lost. He would not Africanize America, for America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the world. He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American, without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without having the doors of Opportunity closed roughly in his face.
W.E.B. DuBois — “The Souls of Black Folks”
The outcome of the Massachusetts special election makes one thing clear: It is time for President Obama to embrace his inner angry black man.
These words will no doubt as offensive to some as were Harry Reid’s words about then candidate Obama. They are also just as true concerning President Obama as Reid’s were of candidate Obama. They must be heeded if the president hopes to accomplish his agenda.
