the souls of black folk-w.e.b. dubois

Du Bois' first realization that his race was used as a "problem" was when he was in elementary school. Du Bois attended an integrated school in Massachusetts, and one year, a new student had enrolled. A class project had kids share cards with each other. The new girl, however, would not accept Du Bois' card.

This was when he realized he was different, and when he decided that he would dedicate himself to being better than whites at most things in life in order to be superior.