Written in 1907 by scholar, author, civil rights activist, and cofounder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) W. E. B. Du Bois (1868–1963), the short story “On Being Crazy” provides a first-person encounter with racial discrimination in public accommodations. The story was written in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 1883 ruling in the Civil Rights Cases, when sanctioned and state-enforced segregation became the way of life in large parts of the United States. The story helps students understand “the African American Experience and the Need for Civil Rights,” which is the goal of our second chapter in our new (and free!) holiday ebook, “The Meaning of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.”
As you and your students read the story, go slowly through the conversation, spelling out and evaluating the positions and arguments of each of the interlocutors. Most if not all readers will cheer for the voice of Du Bois. Why? Du Bois denies that he wants social equality, but only food, rest, music, etc. Both of the speakers, in fact, seem to accept the distinction between civil equality and social equality. Can you explain and defend the difference, showing a clear boundary between them? Who is “crazy” in this dialogue? Is it crazy to deny the desirability of social equality? Is it crazy to be for civil integration and social separateness?
It was one o’clock and I was hungry. I walked into a restaurant, seated myself, and reached for the bill of fare. My table companion rose.
“Sir,” said he, “do you wish to force your company on those who do not want you?”
No, said I, I wish to eat.
“Are you aware, sir, that this is social equality?”
Nothing of the sort, sir, it is hunger—and I ate.
The day’s work done, I sought the theatre. As I sank into my seat, the lady shrank and squirmed.
I beg pardon, I said.
“Do you enjoy being where you are not wanted?” she asked coldly.
Oh, no, I said.
“Well, you are not wanted here”
I was surprised. I fear you are mistaken, I said, I certainly want the music, and I like to think the music wants me to listen to it.
“Usher,” said the lady, “this is social equality.”
“No madame,” said the usher, “it is the second movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.”
After the theatre, I sought the hotel where I had sent my baggage. The clerk scowled.
“What do you want?”
Rest, I said.
“This is a white hotel,” he said.
I looked around. Such a color scheme requires a great deal of cleaning, I said, but I don’t know that I object.
“We object,” said he.
Then why, I began, but he interrupted.
“We don’t keep niggers,” he said, “we don’t want social equality.”
Neither do I, I replied gently, I want a bed.
I walked thoughtfully to the train. I’ll take a sleeper through Texas. I’m a little bit dissatisfied with this town.
“Can’t sell you one.”
I only want to hire it, said I, for a couple of nights.
“Can’t sell you a sleeper in Texas,” he maintained. “They consider that social equality.”
I call it barbarism, I said, and I think I’ll walk.
Walking, I met another wayfarer, who immediately walked to the other side of the road, where it was muddy. I asked his reason.
“Niggers are dirty,” he said.
So is the mud, said I. Moreover, I am not as dirty as you—yet.
“But you’re a nigger, ain’t you?” he asked.
My grandfather was so called.
“Well then!” he answered triumphantly.
Do you live in the South? I persisted pleasantly.
“Sure,” he growled, “and starve there.”
I should think you and the Negroes should get together and vote out starvation.
“We don’t let them vote.”
We? Why not? I said in surprise.
“Niggers is too ignorant to vote.”
But, I said, I am not so ignorant as you.
“But you’re a nigger.”
Yes, I’m certainly what you mean by that.
“Well then!” he returned, with that curiously inconsequential note of triumph. “Moreover,” he said, “I do not want my sister to marry a nigger.”
I had not seen his sister, so I merely murmured, let her say no.
“By God, you shan’t marry her, even if she said yes.”
But—but I don’t want to marry her, I answered, a little perturbed at the personal turn.
“Why not!” he yelled, angrier than ever.
Because I am already married and I rather like my wife.
“Is she a nigger?” he asked suspiciously.
Well, I said again, her grandmother was called that.
“Well, then!” he shouted in that oddly illogical way.
I gave up.
Go on, I said, either you are crazy or I am.
“We both are,” he said as he trotted along in the mud.
For more resources on teaching about Martin Luther King Jr. Day, head over to our free ebook, “The Meaning of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.”
Click here to sign up for our newsletter.Distinguished scholar-teachers Amy and Leon Kass demonstrate how short stories, speeches, and songs can be used to enhance civic education and how a pedagogical approach that stresses learning through inquiry can make primary sources come alive for students of all ages.
View the Curriculum