I finally got around to reading this classic. W.E.B. Du Bois' insights are as sharp as they are still relevant, over a century later. His reflections on the role of the pridon system could have been written days ago. His condemnation of "laziness" and "shiftlessness" is a bit jarring at times. However, being familiar with his later intellectual and political trajectory, traces of which are already visible in this work, I don't think this is how he would have approached the refusal / lack of desire to work later in life. 

The fact that much of what is said here still holds so true today is heartbreaking 

the only thing i really have with this book is that dubois is pretty elitist and sexist in this text and it really shows in certain places. however, he gives a very beautiful and yummy critique on politics, the world, but ultimately the self and the moral problems that black people often go through. it is timeless and tense yet beautiful and moving.