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Web Du Bois's Quest to Challenge Scientific Racism, 1906–1932

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Web Du Bois's Quest to Challenge Scientific Racism, 1906–1932 W. E. B. DU BOIS’S QUEST TO CHALLENGE SCIENTIFIC RACISM, 1906–1932: EDUCATING THE “CITY NEGRO” AT THE 135TH STREET BRANCH LIBRARY by DEIRDRE FOREMAN A Dissertation submitted to the Graduate School-Newark Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Program in Urban Systems written under the direction of Dr. Steven Diner and approved by _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Newark, New Jersey May, 2017 © 2017 Deirdre Foreman ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION W. E. B. Du Bois’s Quest to Challenge Scientific Racism, 1906–1932: Educating the “City Negro” at the 135th Street Branch Library By DEIRDRE FOREMAN Dissertation Director: Dr. Steven Diner This is a historical study of W. E. B. Du Bois’s quest to challenge scientific racism by educating Black Americans on Negro history and culture at the 135th Street Branch of the New York Public Library. W. E. B. Du Bois discovered that the silence and neglect of science had distorted and erased the truth regarding the history and culture of the Black race. Thus, he believed that it was his duty to change the perception of the Black race contrary to how science had defined it. Du Bois used the 135th Street Branch Library in its role in the Harlem community as an urban repository and a center for Black studies to educate the Black masses on Negro history and culture. To show that Blacks were not of an inferior race, Du Bois provided evidence to counter the claims of science. Du Bois developed an empirical framework based on social scientific research of Blacks in cities and engaged the scientific community on both the domestic and international fronts. This study examined the historical relationship between the evolution of Du Bois’s thinking on race and science and his “anti-racialism,” exemplified in two critical moments in his career: his attendance at the First Universal Race Congress in London and his work at the 135th Street Branch Library. The aim of this research was (a) to explain the history of scientific racism as it relates to the intellectual development of Du Bois’s thinking on ii race and science; (b) to understand Du Bois’s role in Harlem and how the 135th Street Branch library was a part of it, and (c) to describe the issues in the history of urbanization, cities, and race and how they relate to Du Bois and to Harlem. Historical research was applied in the form of (a) archives; (b) primary and secondary sources, such as articles, newspaper clippings, and monographs; (c) audiovisual materials, such as photos; and (d) observations. Validity and reliability of the findings derive from these multiple data sources. This work contributes to research in the fields of history, education, ethnology, anthropology, sociology, and urban studies. iii Acknowledgments This dissertation was made possible by my faith in God and the continued love and support of my family. I thank God first and foremost for blessing me with the strength and endurance to carry out this research process. My son motivates me to push forward every day and has given me a purpose for life. My mother and father have always supported me in my endeavors. My stepfather, during his life on earth, gave his heart and believed in me. I know that he is an angel in Heaven and watches over me every day. My grandmother continuously shares her wisdom and rich history of our family and generated my interest in historical studies of the Black experience in the United States. Throughout my work, I have been blessed with supportive friends whom I appreciate and thank. My friends understood when I was unable to talk on the phone or just hang out due to academic commitments. My best friend, Tanya, is always there for me when I need her the most. My “Road-dog,” Lenore, with whom I have shared the trials and tribulations of the doctoral process, inspire me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Faculty members at Rutgers University-Newark have contributed valuable insights to this dissertation. I acknowledge their contributions and express my appreciation to them. First, I express my gratitude and appreciation for Dr. Sadovnik, who was my first professorial contact at Rutgers. He gave me the confidence to pursue this endeavor. My dissertation chair, Dr. Steven Diner, encouraged me to take the leap of faith to complete an historical dissertation. Dr. Arthur Powell challenged me to be a better qualitative thinker. Dr. Jerry Byrd and Dr. Mark Krasovic offered their expertise on historical writing and Dr. Sabrina Chase contributed to the growth of my studies on urban iv populations and scientific racism. Finally, I thank the staff at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture for assisting with this research and making possible this project with their patience and guidance. This project is the culmination of a 3-year exploration of topics relevant to scientific racism and education of Black Americans on Black history and culture in the cities during the 20th century. v Table of Contents Title ...................................................................................................................................... i Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. iv Preface.............................................................................................................................. viii Introduction to the Investigation ..........................................................................................1 Chapter 1: Scientific Racism: A History of Social Thought..............................................33 Chapter 2: The First Universal Races Congress: An International Influence on Du Bois’s Scientific Thinking, 1911 ...............................................................63 Chapter 3: The Age of the Harlem Renaissance: Du Bois and the 135th Street Branch Library .................................................................................................88 Table 1: Comparison of New York City population to total United States population in urban cities, 1900–1930 ................................................139 Chapter 4: The KRIGWA Players Little Negro Theatre, 1925–1927: Racial Vindication .....................................................................................................169 Chapter 5: Lessons Learned.............................................................................................208 Bibliography ....................................................................................................................234 Appendix A: Cover Letter for a Questionnaire on Du Bois’s Genealogical History......................................................................................................254 Appendix B: Heredity Questionnaire, ca. 1925. Requesting Information About W. E. B. Du Bois’s Genealogical History for a Study Challenging the Findings of Arthur De Gobineau .......................................................255 Appendix C: Outline of Plan to Establish Department of Negro History, Literature And Art....................................................................................257 Appendix D: Letter From W. E. B. Du Bois to Ernestine Rose: Plan to Establish Little Negro Theatre Dated 17 May 1926 ................................................258 Appendix E: KRIGWA Draft of Invitation ...................................................................259 Appendix F: KRIGWA Final Copy of Invitation .........................................................260 vi Appendix G: KRIGWA Circular F, 1 January 1926 .....................................................261 Appendix H: Conditions for Using the KRIGWA Players ............................................262 Appendix I: KRIGWA, The Programme .....................................................................263 Appendix J: Memorandum: Book Guild to Mr. Johnson .............................................264 Appendix K: Tournament Announcement.....................................................................265 Appendix L: Letter from Du Bois to Ernestine Rose Concerning Harassment by the Janitor .................................................................................................266 vii Preface This study is an investigation about a man who worked tirelessly to challenge the dominant racist ideology of Black intellectual and cultural inferiority. W. E. B. Du Bois discovered early in his career that the silence and neglect of science had distorted and erased the truth regarding the history and culture of the Black race. Thus, he believed that it was the obligation and duty of Black leaders such as himself to change the perception of the Black race in a way that was contrary to how science had defined it. Du Bois used the 135th Street Branch Library in its role in the Harlem community as an urban repository and a center for Black studies to educate the Black masses on Negro history and culture through the power of drama. To show that Blacks were not of an inferior race, as science had, in his opinion, wrongly defined them, in the form of arts and humanities, Du Bois provided evidence to counter the claims of science. In following the intellectual development of Du Bois’s thinking
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