W.E.B. Dubois

W.E.B. Dubois

Bithplace:Great Barrington, MA
1868-1963

On Tuesday, August 27,1963, as thousands of people were planning to march on Washington, DC, W.E.B. Dubois died. Some people cried when they had heard the news. The great black leader, who had been living in Ghana, West Africa, would be missed.

William spent his entire life working for justice and equal rights for black people. He helped organize the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people (NAACP)in 1909. This great civil rights organization has lead the fight for black equality for over 75 years. William worked as an editor of Crisis, the NAACP magazine. He wrote more than 20 books. "Souls of Black Folks" is the best known.

Many people have been involved in the struggle to make a better America. But no one was more outspoken than William. He supported the fight for black rights in Africa and throughout the world and he was a leader of the peace movement. Not everyone accepted his ideas. He was attacked by those who disagreed with him. After years of struggle, he moved to Ghana. On August 28, the historic March on Washington was held. The man with "a gift for words" would have been proud. And that is my Hero!

"If there is anybody in this land who thoroughly believes that the meek shall inherit the earth they have not often let their presence be known." W.E.B. Dubois (that's what he said)