GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. – Civil rights icon W. E. B. Du Bois was born in Great Barrington 154 years ago next week. He’s known for helping found the NAACP and becoming the first Black man to receive a doctorate from Harvard. However, his legacy hasn’t always been embraced by his hometown. 

The W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School in Great Barrington was re-named in his honor in 2020. However, before that, the name faced significant opposition for more than a decade because some questioned DuBois’ decision to join the communist party late in his life.

“They looked at Du Bois going to the communist party as a betrayal of this country,” said Gwendolyn VanSant, CEO of Multicultural BRIDGE. “And they didn’t understand that he was seeking free education for all, access to health care, really seeking economic justice for all, including Black people.” 

What You Need To Know

  • Civil rights icon W.E.B. Du Bois was born in Great Barrington
  • The town has only begun to embrace his legacy recently, with many people hesitant to do so because he joined the communist party late in life
  • The middle school now bears his name, and the town holds a celebration of his life each year
  • Local activists say it’s important to keep his legacy alive and his ideas are still relevant today

The new school name is just one sign of the town’s changing attitude. There’s now a dedicated Du Bois legacy committee, which, in partnership with Multicultural BRIDGE, organizes the annual celebration of his life each February.

Activists like VanSant have worked for years to help educate the community.

“That’s the work that we all have to do all the time, right?” said VanSant. “Just really begin to listen and understand and be curious about what we’re living in, the systems that have been built, and how we can actually have them serve us better and build safety and thriving for everyone.”

There are efforts to create more permanent memorials for the man who was a sociologist, author, and educator.

The town proposed plans to build a statue of Du Bois outside the Mason Library downtown, and a group is working to restore the historic Clinton Church as a Black educational and community center.

Berkshire NAACP president Dennis Powell said it’s essential to teach Du Bois’ legacy of championing the contributions of all Black Americans.

“This is what is going to help Black youth, but white youth as well,” said Powell. “Learning the real history, the contributions.”

Both Powell and VanSant are happy the town is now embracing Du Bois, and they hope people will understand his words and contributions are still relevant today.

“What would Du Bois say right now, with the racial reckoning in this country, with the voting rights issues, what would he ask us to do?” said VanSant. “And if you go to Du Bois’ writings, they could be speaking as if they were standing right next to us right now, it’s that relevant.”

“He broke so many barriers,” said Powell. “We have so much to be proud of.”