600-800 word Primary Source Analysis

Below is a poem written by W.E.B. Du Bois in 1907 titled, “My Country ’Tis of Thee.” Write a 600-800 word response answering the following questions:

Who was W.E.B. Du Bois, and what was his significance to racial activism?

What was occurring in America at time this poem was published that might have influenced Du Bois’ thoughts and feelings?

Was this poem written only to African Americans, or would other groups in the nation have been able to relate to Du Bois’ sentiments?

Format your response using Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced. Be sure to provide parenthetical or footnote citations to reference any information. You MUST include at least one reference to our textbook; beyond that, you are free to use other peer-edited sources to formulate your response (i.e. journal articles, published books, etc.).

My Country ’Tis of Thee

BY W. E. B. DU BOIS

Of course you have faced the dilemma: it is announced, they all smirk and rise. If they are ultra, they remove their hats and look ecstatic; then they look at you. What shall you do? Noblesse oblige; you cannot be boorish, or ungracious; and too, after all it is your country and you do love its ideals if not all of its realities. Now, then, I have thought of a way out: Arise, gracefully remove your hat, and tilt your head. Then sing as follows, powerfully and with deep unction. They’ll hardly note the little changes and their feelings and your conscience will thus be saved:

My country tis of thee,

Late land of slavery,

         Of thee I sing.

Land where my father’s pride

Slept where my mother died,

From every mountain side

         Let freedom ring!

My native country thee

Land of the slave set free,

         Thy fame I love.

I love thy rocks and rills

And o’er thy hate which chills,

My heart with purpose thrills,

         To rise above.

Let laments swell the breeze

And wring from all the trees

          Sweet freedom’s song.

Let laggard tongues awake,

Let all who hear partake,

Let Southern silence quake,

         The sound prolong.

Our fathers’ God to thee

Author of Liberty,

         To thee we sing

Soon may our land be bright,

With Freedom’s happy light

Protect us by Thy might,

         Great God our King.