Introduction

A double conscious person looks at his or her life through other people’s perspectives. The act or sensation as Dubois calls it makes the victim attempt to balance between their true self and the world’s opinions (Du, Anderson, & Eaton, 1996). Majorly, the imbalance may cause unprecedented pity and spite for oneself. Thus, in the end, the individual ‘splits’ into two. Two souls, two struggles, and two contrasting ideals under the same body. This essay will critically look the concept of double consciousness and its manifestation in the real world. Even though Dubois looked at the theory in context of black folk, it is still relevant in today’s world.

Immigrants

In today’s world, Dubois’ theory goes beyond the borders of race. Immigrants experience double consciousness in their everyday lives. Settlers arrive in America from various parts of the world. Although they already have an identity and culture, the new country forces them to adopt to their culture, Language, values, and ways of life. These immigrants have personal values, traditions, and customs that they need to hold onto but the new surroundings does not favor their former ways of life (Gay, 2009). Grudgingly, they adopt to the new American traditions and language in order to fit into the new country. Later, the two ways of life and identity reconcile in one body similar to Dubois’ observation (Du, Anderson, & Eaton, 1996). The reconciliation of the two identities does not mean that they have strike a balance. May be while in the house out of the public eye, he or she gets an opportunity to practice his or her original customs while in public American culture takes the forefront stage. Normally, the two identities conflict with each other.

 

Appearance

 The concept of double consciousness manifests in appearance in the current world. Anonymity can make anyone feel powerful. Hiding behind the mask of someone else gives the pretender an opportunity of becoming or assuming an appearance he or she admires (Gay, 2009). The internet provides a platform that changed the perception of appearance and identity. In the internet world, emerging trends come and go due to the dynamic world. However choosing a wrong appearance can cost one their lives and self-esteem (Gay, 2009). There is a need to live in a certain way and keep up a certain lifestyle, which is in line with emerging trends. For instance, most of the Instagram users display and upload photos that depict wealth which in turn make other Instagram users critical about their lifestyles. In the end, there is a need for an average person, earning an average salary try to assume an image and appearance of a wealthy individual on social media.

The present community does not acknowledge realism. Majority of the people create a persona that does not reflect reality. One can portray a rich lifestyle on the internet platforms such as Instagram but in reality, he or she does not have the money to finance the lifestyle he or she shows followers. Balancing expectations and reality is a challenge since one has to filter out the reality and maintain a lie. Balancing a rich appearance while the reality is that you are poor and struggling to pay your bills may affect a person’s self-esteem and worth (Gay, 2009).

After all is said and done, double consciousness is relevant in this day and age. Immigrants try to fit into foreign countries’ Way of life and adapt new values and system for thinking. At the same time, they cannot do away with their own culture, leaving unable to balance the two. Internet users try to maintain two contrasting appearances on internet platforms and real life.

 

References

Du, B. W. E. B., Anderson, E., & Eaton, I. (1996). The Philadelphia Negro: A social study. University of Pennsylvania Press

Gay, K. (2009). Body image and appearance: The ultimate teen guide. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press.