Introduction to “The Development of a People”

2012

Constellations, 2012

Journal of African American Studies, 2006

Elliott Rudwick's 1957 examination of the methodology and sociological significance of the Atlanta Sociological Laboratory served as the singular treatise on this topic for nearly fifty years. This query departs from Rudwick's publication through its critique of the Atlanta Sociological Laboratory beyond a conceptual frame that compares the school's methodological techniques with advancements in the discipline at a later period in time, but, instead, challenges Rudwick's conclusion that the methodology was unsophisticated and of low quality and that the sociological significance was, at best, minimal.

The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 2000

Burghardt Du Bois. As a scholar he transcended disciplinary boundaries and genre. Since the Enlightenment, conceptions of identity have defined the very core of questions about human difference in the Western world. Sociology, for example, was founded by intellectuals who believed that &dquo;the world&dquo; (that is, Europe or the West) was changing; social theorists such as Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim examined the ways in which individual identity was shaped by the transformation of traditional societies into modern ones.' Traditional preindustrial societies were seen as the embodiment of a collective identity in which individuals were aware of who they are and why they exist. The clarity of traditional identities is blurred by the transition to the modern division of labor. As modern capitalism develops and rational behaviors dominate, the problems of identity are left behind. Yet the same social theorists who founded sociology had little to say about the role of race in mod

African American Review, 2011

Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, 2017

Race Ethnicity and Education, 2011

In addition to its beginnings within legal scholarship, Critical Race Theory (CRT) is intimately aligned with the long tradition of African American social critique, which sought to interrogate the intractable nature of racism and White supremacy. Within this intellectual tradition, the works of W.E.B. Du Bois are of critical significance. Du Bois’ critique of racism, in addition to his theories of education, anticipate many key aspects of CRT. Additionally, Du Bois illuminates fruitful spaces that are of great relevance to contemporary scholars engaged in a critical analysis of race and racism in their global and domestic contexts, within both education and the broader society.

The British journal of sociology, 2017

I am pleased for the honor to comment on Professor Aldon D. Morris's lecture from his magisterial new book, The Scholar Denied: W.E.B. Du Bois and the Birth of Modern Sociology. In a manner of speaking this book is Dr Morris's baby, the planted seed gestated and took form over ten years. The extended term was punctuated by brief glimpses and teases from the emerging book, as Dr Morris refined his thinking in a series of published articles, conference papers and lectures before nearly every top ten ranked department of sociology in the USA. As Professor Morris literally wrestled with the project, he spoke endlessly about core ideas and vigorously debated with dead white men-many of whom were the storied 'founders' of the discipline. Professor Morris's long labour, joyous at some points and painful at others, produced a book that has been celebrated, acclaimed and recognized with the prestigious R.R. Hawkins PROSE book award. There is little doubt that for Aldon Morris, this book was truly a labour of love. We who were privileged to witness his committed, dedicated, dogged, scholarly quest, were certain that this book would be a classic. Professor Morris would settle for no less. At one point I re-read Dr Morris's soaring Preface to the book, while on a plane returning from a research project in Cartagena, Colombia; 5 miles above the earth. This was appropriate; it was as it should be, since the Preface is a soaring piece that takes flight over subject matter, time and space. Given I had read the book manuscript so many times before, and discussed-and discussed and discussed it over and again-my reaction was quite surprising! I was moved to tears by the Preface. Aldon shared his life history and intellectual journey, unveiling the foundations for this magnificent scholarly work. Only Professor Aldon Morris could have written this particular book. Anyone who has a foot in-or is familiar with, the black tradition knows the adage, 'God never gives something to anyone that was intended for you'.

The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 2000

This close reading and interpretation of Du Bois's "The Study of the Negro Problems" (Du Bois 1898b) focuses on several matters: the historical and biographical contexts within which Du Bois produced and presented the essay; what the author takes to be Du Bois's convictions regarding the nature and production of scien- tific, truthful knowledge, and the importance of such knowledge for resolving social problems and thereby contributing to progressive so- cial evolution. These convictions presupposed and were conditioned by a particular conception of social reality in terms of which Du Bois formulated a conception of "social problems," particularly those hav- ing to do with "the Negro" in the United States. Finally, the author re- views Du Bois's critique of then-prevailing social science and his proposed "Program for Future Study" of "Negro problems" and concludes with a brief assessment.