Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects Honors Program 5-2011 White Blues: Can Eric Clapton Embody Du Bois' Double Consciousness? Ryan Patrick Gabriel Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/honors Part of the Sociology Commons Recommended Citation Gabriel, Ryan Patrick, "White Blues: Can Eric Clapton Embody Du Bois' Double Consciousness?" (2011). Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects. 83. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/honors/83 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors Program at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. WHITE BLUES: CAN ERIC CLAPTON EMBODY DU BOIS’ DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS? by Ryan Gabriel Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DEPARTMENTAL HONORS in Sociology in the Department of Sociology, Social Work & Anthropology Approved: Thesis/Project Advisor Departmental Honors Advisor Dr. Peggy Petrzelka Dr. Christy Glass Director of Honors Program Dr. Christie Fox UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, UT Spring 2011 2 ABSTRACT In this article I explore if Black consciousness, as described by W.E.B. Du Bois' theory of double consciousness, can be taken on by those who are White. I analyze songs both written and covered by Eric Clapton, to examine if elements of double consciousness are in his music. Furthermore, I analyze album covers that have Clapton's image on them, looking for characteristics of physical Blackness. My fmdings reveal that Eric Clapton does take on aspects of double consciousness, through his music, and facets of physical Blackness.