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WEB Du Bois and the Rhetoric of Social Change, 1897-1907 Duquesne University Duquesne Scholarship Collection Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2008 W.E.B. Du Bois and the Rhetoric of Social Change, 1897-1907: Attitude as Incipient Action Fendrich Clark Follow this and additional works at: https://dsc.duq.edu/etd Recommended Citation Clark, F. (2008). W.E.B. Du Bois and the Rhetoric of Social Change, 1897-1907: Attitude as Incipient Action (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/415 This Immediate Access is brought to you for free and open access by Duquesne Scholarship Collection. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Duquesne Scholarship Collection. For more information, please contact [email protected]. W.E.B. DU BOIS AND THE RHETORIC OF SOCIAL CHANGE, 1897-1907: ATTITUDE AS INCIPIENT ACTION A Dissertation Submitted to the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts Duquesne University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Fendrich R. Clark May 2009 Copyright by Fendrich R. Clark 2009 W.E.B. DU BOIS AND THE RHETORIC OF SOCIAL CHANGE, 1897-1907: ATTITUDE AS INCIPIENT ACTION By Fendrich R. Clark Approved November 14, 2008 _________________________________ _________________________________ Richard H. Thames, Ph.D. Janie Harden Fritz, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Communication Associate Professor of Communication (Dissertation Director) (Committee Member) _________________________________ Pat Arneson, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Communication (Committee Member) _________________________________ _________________________________ Albert C. Labriola, Ph.D. Ronald C. Arnett, Ph.D. Acting Dean, McAnulty College and Professor and Chair, Department of Graduate School of Liberal Arts Communication and Rhetorical Studies (External Member) iii ABSTRACT W.E.B. DU BOIS AND THE RHETORIC OF SOCIAL CHANGE, 1897-1907: ATTITUDE AS INCIPIENT ACTION By Fendrich R. Clark May 2009 Dissertation supervised by Richard H. Thames, Ph.D. This study examines the social change rhetoric of scholar and civic activist W.E.B. Du Bois to understand the role, motivations, influences, and shortcomings of his message upon a shifting current of black thought during the late ninetieth and early twentieth-century. In this study, I focus upon Du Bois’ rhetorical aptitude in the building of his character, the emotional appeals made to his immediate audience, and the logical arguments and counter arguments that he publicly advanced in developing his program of parallel development. I contend that in providing an alternate narrative to the competing opinions of accommodation as a solution to the “Negro problem,” Du Bois’ social change rhetoric was more congruent to black’s and liberal white’s inclination of mutual social progress and provided a vision in which education and political resistance, in terms of both iv attitude and action drove blacks to seek to improve themselves as an ethnic group not merely a race. The study relies heavily on a strict neo-Aristotelian analysis with Burkeian undertones to explicate widely read and significant Du Boisian speeches, written publications, and rhetorical artifacts such as the 1897 speech and later converted pamphlet “The Conservation of the Races,” the American Negro Exhibit at the 1900 Paris Exposition, the published 1901 review of Washington’s autobiography Up From Slavery “On Booker T. Washington and Others,” and the Souls of Black Folk published in 1903.” Ultimately, the study argues that DuBois’ approach was rhetorically superior to others, namely Washington, insofar as Du Bois’ rhetoric exemplified a greater congruity between the message and his own life, the way in which the message was implemented, the degree to which he embodied it; and its appeal and deference to the opinions of a broader audience. v ACKNOWLEDGMENT I have labored intensely in an attempt to understand and present, here, the mission and motivation of W.E.B. Du Bois. In all my research and study, I still feel that there is so much still to be understood. I would like to thank all of those who have labored with me during this journey, as confidant, partner, supporter, and critic especially to both the Clark and Munford family for being a rock of support. To my life partner, Cenell, and my children, Junior and Daniel, to whom I owe all that I am, I love you. To all other friends and family, your support and encouragement, I have sincerely appreciated. To my colleagues at MUC, your encouragement and inquiry was extremely helpful. Finally to my advisor Dr. Thames, thank you for your guidance, your patience, and the belief that you showed in me throughout this process. Thank you for helping me to overcome and come from behind the Veil. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract.............................................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgment ............................................................................................................... vi Chapter One .........................................................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction........................................................................................................1 1.2 Context and the Influence of the American Negro Academy............................5 1.3 A Historical Look at the Biological Conception of Race ................................12 1.4 Du Bois’ Argument over the Scientific Conceptualization of Race................29 1.5 Conclusion .......................................................................................................42 Works Cited ...........................................................................................................47 Chapter Two.......................................................................................................................50 2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................50 2.2 Creating Symbols of Self-Determinism and Shaping Public Opinion.............55 2.3 Pathos and Influencing Sympathies and Imagination .....................................69 2.4 Conclusion .......................................................................................................80 Works Cited ...........................................................................................................86 Chapter Three.....................................................................................................................90 3.1 Introduction......................................................................................................90 3.2 Establishing Rhetorical Contexts.....................................................................96 3.3 Logos: Confrontation and Rhetoric of Transcendence ..................................107 3.4 Conclusion .....................................................................................................123 Works Cited .........................................................................................................126 vii Chapter Four ....................................................................................................................129 4.1 Introduction....................................................................................................129 4.2 Ethos as Rhetorical Proof and Coactive Strategy ..........................................133 4.3 The Ethos of Social Activism and Leadership...............................................143 4.4 A Congruity between Character and Accomplishments................................153 4.5 Conclusion .....................................................................................................172 Works Cited .........................................................................................................180 Chapter Five.....................................................................................................................183 5.1 Summary........................................................................................................183 5.2 The Operations of Social Change Rhetoric ...................................................185 5.3 The Rhetorical Power of the Emotions..........................................................192 5.4 Argument as a Rhetorical Strategy ................................................................198 5.5 Establishing Congruity through Positive Relational Patterns........................202 5.6 Implications....................................................................................................208 Works Cited .........................................................................................................213 viii Chapter 1 Africa is of course my fatherland…On this vast continent were born and live a large portion of my direct ancestors going back a thousand years or more. The physical bond is least and the badge of color relatively unimportant save as a badge; the real essence of this kinship is its social heritage of slavery; the discrimination and insult; and this heritage binds together not simply the children of Africa, but extends through yellow Asia and into the South Seas. It is this unity that draws me to Africa. W.E.B. Du Bois. Dusk of Dawn: Essay Toward an Autobiography of a Race Concept. New York: Harcourt, Brace, & Co., 1940. 116. 1.1 Introduction The intention of this
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