The Sight that Can’t be Unseen - Recognizing Our Double Consciousness

Rubin Vase

In his book “Souls of Black Folk” (1903), W.E.B. DuBois wrote about the phenomenon of a “double consciousness,” a term that describes how racial marginalization shapes an individual’s perspective, experience, and identity. A “second sight” is formed in which a person of color views the world through the eyes of the other as well as themself, giving them a dual perspective of the world that is more grounded in its truer, but harsher all encompassing reality. One is caught between the crux of enlightenment and a lack of agency, as DuBois explains:

“I have been in the world but not of it. I have seen the human drama from a veiled corner, where all the outer tragedy and comedy have reproduced themselves in microcosm within. From this inner torment of souls the human scene without has interpreted itself to me in unusual and even illuminating ways.”

Though much has changed in the world since the time of his writing, the centrality of the white experience has hardly wavered. We may have more agency, but it is an optical illusion by which our double consciousness seems to have dwindled disturbingly. Maybe we have progressed, or maybe the white perspective is winning over us. We are so deeply entangled in thoughts, beliefs, histories, laws, and practices that have been defined for us that we seem to have lost sight of the worlds that exist beyond them, let alone what we can do to shape the world independently ourselves.

We must begin to bring action towards the dreams that we imagine for ourselves, think deeply about the ancestors that came before us and how we represent the continuation of their storyline. It is through this deep reflection and spiritual connection that we can reroute—and root—ourselves into the values that make us human. We will form definitions of success that are truer to our state of being and throw the world off its axis. We must strive to be more than the bourgeoisie, because whether we see it or not, we have been coaxed into thinking that is the ultimate goal. We must escape the mechanization and militarization that forces our hands into believing that there is only one option in the oneness of the world.

Once we recognize our second sight the world can’t be unseen for what it truly is. We must peel away the veil and imagine the world’s that could exist beyond a white reality, and recognize and challenge the dreams, wills, values, and desires implanted and indoctrinated within us. Question everything, remain vigilant, and as soon as the world around you crumbles, you can rebuild a world in a brighter image and escape the dark shadow of white supremacy.