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Phrase popularized in early 20th-century social theory.
Definition:
The idea that an educated leadership class could advance the condition of an oppressed community.
Example:
“The Talented Tenth was envisioned as a guiding vanguard.”
Birth of W. E. B. Du Bois (1868–1963)
The Voice Who Gave English a Language for Justice
On this day — February 23, 1868 — W. E. B. Du Bois was born, one of the most powerful stylists of political prose in the English language and a foundational voice in modern academic and civil-rights rhetoric. A scholar, essayist, and public intellectual, his writing fused analytical precision with moral urgency.
Through works such as The Souls of Black Folk, Du Bois reshaped the cadence of English argumentative prose, blending lyrical reflection with rigorous sociological analysis. His concept of “double consciousness” introduced vocabulary and frameworks that became central to discussions of identity, race, and modernity in English-language scholarship and cultural criticism.
His essays and speeches also helped define the rhetorical architecture of twentieth-century civil-rights discourse: elevated diction, structured argumentation, and ethically charged persuasion. On this day, his birth marks a lasting linguistic legacy, as his prose continues to influence academic writing, political essays, and the moral voice of modern English nonfiction.

Your Language Learning Recap
Catch up on the last three monthly reviews, where English and Spanish learners alike can find everything they need to stay on track.
From grammar tips to captivating stories, vocabulary builders, and engaging readings, these wrap-ups have it all.
Plus, if you want to explore even more, you can click here to check out reviews from previous months!
