In this ambitious?even radical?literary collection, first published in 1920, civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois tackled race, gender, art, politics, labor, and economics from the perspective of an African American who, in his own words, had?been in the world, but not of it.? Du Bois took an experimental approach in Darkwater?utilizing essays, poetry, spirituals, sketches, and autobiographical writings?to break new ground on issues of race, class, and prejudice that continue to confound us. These are deep meditations, based on years of introspection and observation, but their cumulative effect goes beyond mere philosophy: it builds to a clear demand for justice and equality. Du Bois was a leading thinker on these questions throughout his life, but Darkwater stands as one of his most expansive and prophetic calls to action.