W.E.B. Du Bois: A Radical Intellectual and America’s Fear of Dissent ### Who Was W.E.B. Du Bois? W.E.B. Du Bois (1868–1963) was one of the most influential American intellectuals of the 20th century. He was a historian, sociologist, and activist who fought tirelessly for racial equality and was a founding member of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). His work challenged the structural racism embedded in American society, and his writings—particularly The Souls of Black Folk (1903)—laid the foundation for Black intellectual thought in the U.S. ### His Clash with American Power Du Bois’s relationship with the U.S. government became increasingly hostile as he moved toward anti-imperialism, socialism, and Pan-Africanism. While initially advocating for Black advancement through education and civil rights, he grew disillusioned with capitalism and U.S. foreign policy, believing that white supremacy was tied to global economic exploitation. • Red Scare Persecution (1951) – During the McCarthy era, Du Bois was accused of being a communist because of his opposition to nuclear weapons and his advocacy for socialist policies. He was put on trial for allegedly being an agent of a foreign government, though he was ultimately acquitted. • Passport Revocation (1952–1958) – After his acquittal, the U.S. government revoked his passport to prevent him from traveling abroad and spreading his critiques of American capitalism and racism. This was a tactic frequently used against dissidents. When his passport was reinstated in 1958, he left the country again, and in 1961, at age 93, he renounced his U.S. citizenship and moved to Ghana, where he spent the final years of his life. ### What This Says About American Power 1. Repression of Radical Thought – Du Bois’s treatment demonstrates the U.S. [[Government]]’s longstanding pattern of suppressing intellectuals who challenge its economic and racial structures. Similar tactics were used against figures like Paul Robeson, [[Angela Davis]], and others who linked domestic racial struggles to global anti-[[Colonialism]]. 2. Weaponization of ‘Americanism’ – The McCarthy era reinforced the idea that dissent, particularly socialist or anti-imperialist thought, was unpatriotic. By branding Du Bois a communist, the U.S. effectively dismissed his critiques of [[Capitalism]] and racism without addressing their substance. 3. Empire and Racial Control – Du Bois argued that white supremacy was not just a national issue but a global one, tied to the exploitation of [[Africa]], Asia, and Latin America. His persecution reflected America’s broader fear of Black intellectuals aligning with global anti-colonial movements. 4. Censorship Through Bureaucracy – The U.S. didn’t assassinate Du Bois or imprison him long-term, but instead used [[bureaucratic]] [[repression]] (passport revocation, legal harassment) to contain him. This method of [[Control]]—strangling dissent without outright silencing it—remains a key tactic of American state power. Du Bois’s life shows how America often turns against its most brilliant thinkers when their ideas challenge the foundations of power. Instead of celebrating his [[intellect]], the U.S. tried to erase and discredit him—only for [[History]] to vindicate him as one of its greatest minds. `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`