Du Bois' Evolution towards Radicalism

W.E.B. Du Bois' political evolution towards radicalism is a significant aspect of his life and work. From his early days in the Socialist Party to his eventual embrace of Marxism, Du Bois consistently delved deeper into his understanding of social and economic justice. He studied Marxism extensively, taught courses on radical political economy, and joined organizations that promoted anti-imperialism and anti-colonialism. However, Du Bois always maintained his own distinct ideological framework, incorporating elements of Pan-Africanism, black liberation, and human rights into his beliefs. While he joined the Communist Party later in his life, he remained more Du Boisian than purely Marxist. His views on peace and justice were shaped by his international travels and his commitment to fulfilling the basic needs of ordinary people. Du Bois saw peace not as the absence of conflict, but as the realization of social and economic equality. He recognized the interconnections between anti-communism, anti-imperialism, and anti-blackness in the United States, as these forces often collaborated to undermine movements for racial and economic justice.