Kaitlyn Rangel
Sociology of Minorities
University of Northern Colorado
W.E.B Du Bois wrote “The Souls of Black Folk” that explained what life was like to be a black American in 1903. Du Bois details the internal struggle of being a darker skin tone in a white society. Africans were brought to America solely for slavery; even after slavery was abolished African Americans were still treated differently. Thus, the “color line” emerged. Blacks were separated from whites and treated unequally to their white counterparts. Du Bois further details a “veil” that black Americans were put into. The “veil” is a concept that describes how black Americans felt in society. Blacks were unable to feel a part of society because of the way whites still viewed them as slaves. Blacks also felt they could not be true Americans because of the circumstances that lead them there (Du Bois 1903). The internal struggle of being different within society caused turmoil …show more content…
Our society promotes heterosexism in a complex world along with negative attitudes against the more “radical” forms of sexuality and gender-identity. The “veil” can be seen in African Americans, transgender, and bisexuals. The inner conflict African Americans felt with being of African descent in America; transgender and bisexuals also feel in a similar internal battle within their community. Transgender and bisexual members may be a part of GLBTQ, but they are more complex and less accepted. Thus, they are out-casted and unable to be who they are in any community or in society as a whole. The veil they are placed under is harmful because they have no support. The “color-line” can be seen in GLBTQ as sexual orientation versus gender identity; gay and lesbians versus transgender. Du Bois’ theory explains the complexity of having to conform to a society that does not fully accept all of its