Body Quote by W. E. B. Du Bois
“One ever feels his twoness - an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Souls of Black Folk, 1903
An African American feels split between two identities, causing inner conflict and tension.
In simple terms: He experiences a divided self, torn between being American and Black.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and reconcile dual identities.
Themes
identity
conflict
race
dualism
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical
social
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- social discourse
- mental health
Key Concepts
double consciousness
social psychology
racial tension
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one integrate conflicting cultural identities?
- What supports help reconcile internal division?
A Different Perspective
Balancing two identities can cause stress and societal pressure.
![“I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests with ZERO-G [a charter-flight service in Arlington, Va., that uses modified Boeing 727s to simulate weightlessness], which went great.” quote by Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa1/richard-branson-256_adventure_i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-repl_903.jpg)
