After rereading DuBois's statement on double consciousness. While its an interesting concept with many examples I am beginning to realize that individuals' entire lives are formed and lived through a double consciousness. When DuBois says "it is a peculiar sensation, this double consciousness, this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity." I feel like it can apply to any ideology because the state and media have particular agendas which we feel we must abide by, or at least strive to emulate. On a grand scale, yes, I'd imagine the double consciousness associated with being an educated African American is deeply felt, but I also believe that it affects everyone in multiple ways. For example, a working mother may even have quadruple consciousness. Based on her position in corporate America, arguably a "man's world," and among her peers at a her daughter's Saturday morning soccer game, proud of bringing the requisite Dunkin Donuts Munchkins and hot cocoa. She constantly measures herself against the ideals of both realms, yet consistently feels like she never measures up. So its not just being a black man and an American, it can also be a gay man and an autoracer.
Moving to a completely different thought, I decided to watch Oprah this week because she is a great example of a person with double consciousness. A couple days ago Hilary Swank was on the show promoting her new film about Amelia Earhart. She introduced Swank as an accomplish two-time Oscar winner, and the conversation that ensued was graceful, eloquent, and full of intelligent vernacular with a "classy" tone. Basically, it sounded like what the American public would consider "white." Conversely, today Oprah spoke with Mo'Nique, a talented black actress who was promoting her new film "Precious." I was not very surprised when Oprah started speaking with a particular twang, and using words such as 'girl' and 'okay' with a certain emphasis that would be considered black. She also was not speaking grammatically correct during some of the conversation, but this was definitely not meant derogatorily. I think a lot of this is not only double consciousness but more a unconscious attempt to 'relate' to her guests and subsequently set the stage for the viewer regarding the relationship between Oprah and her guest.
Moving to a completely different thought, I decided to watch Oprah this week because she is a great example of a person with double consciousness. A couple days ago Hilary Swank was on the show promoting her new film about Amelia Earhart. She introduced Swank as an accomplish two-time Oscar winner, and the conversation that ensued was graceful, eloquent, and full of intelligent vernacular with a "classy" tone. Basically, it sounded like what the American public would consider "white." Conversely, today Oprah spoke with Mo'Nique, a talented black actress who was promoting her new film "Precious." I was not very surprised when Oprah started speaking with a particular twang, and using words such as 'girl' and 'okay' with a certain emphasis that would be considered black. She also was not speaking grammatically correct during some of the conversation, but this was definitely not meant derogatorily. I think a lot of this is not only double consciousness but more a unconscious attempt to 'relate' to her guests and subsequently set the stage for the viewer regarding the relationship between Oprah and her guest.
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