Diotima: The Marist Undergraduate Philosophy Journal
one’s behavior—and particularly, one’s habits—can also affect thought. In the chapter “Propaganda and World War,” Du Bois addresses this point: A still further step I was not yet prepared to realize must be taken: not simply knowledge, not simply direct repression of evil, will reform the world. In long, indirect pressure and action of various and intricate sorts, the actions of men which are not due to lack of knowledge nor to evil intent, must be changed by influencing folkways, habits, customs and subconscious deeds. 10 This interpretation points to a more holistic view of the unconscious: not changeable by brute force, but by a mix of gradual education and changes in habit. Du Bois further illustrates the importance of not attempting to change unconscious prejudice by mere argument in the fable of his “friend” Roger Van Dieman, a character created in the chapter “The White World” whose “thesis is simple: the world is composed of Race superimposed on Race; classes superimposed on classes; beneath the whole thing is "Our Family" in capitals, and under that is God.” 11 This story also attempts to show that races are not sanctioned by “divine command,” but rather, “because of the persons who compose it.” 12 As Du Bois finishes this hypothesis of how to change engrained thoughts and prejudices within the unconscious, he sets forth a proposal to finally address it—one that differs greatly from his original “Talented Tenth” proposal. Du Bois writes, What I began to realize was that the heights and fastnesses which we black folk were assailing, could not in America be gained by sheer force of assault, because of our relatively small numbers. They could only be gained as the majority of Americans were persuaded of the rightness of our cause and joined with us in demanding our recognition as full citizens. This process must deal not only with conscious rational action, but with irrational and unconscious habit, long buried
10 Du Bois, Dusk of Dawn , 111. 11 Du Bois, Dusk of Dawn, 71. 12 Du Bois, Dusk of Dawn , 77.
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