The Smoke Song W.EB Dubois was one of the most prolific and pioneering leaders during the early civil rights era. Throughout his life, he produced numerous works as commentary on the social construction that existed between whites and blacks, including the groundbreaking collection of essays The Souls of Black Folk published in 1903. These essays detailed the historical, political, and sociological predicament of African Americans. in society after the civil war. Additionally, the essays introduced the concept of double consciousness which referred to the challenge blacks faced in reconciling an African heritage with an American identity, a theory that would become widespread in his later works. Accordingly, his poem “The Song of Smoke” published in 1907 is an extension of his earlier work on double consciousness, but with an emphasis on celebrating black heritage. Embedded in these claims of darkness; however, it is a sense of longing for the unity and equality of all races. In the poem “The Song of the Smoke,” DuBois reflects on the past, finding pain and courage in the legacy of his enslaved ancestors and toward the future, hoping for a new strength and dignity among all Americans. the poem is undoubtedly action and follows a unique rhythmic structure, including the repetition of a refrain at the end of each stanza: "I am the King of Smoke - I am black." draws on the rich tradition of African American music, including work songs sung by slaves in the fields. "The Song of Smoke" is a poem of action and movement. Things are constantly happening in the poem; almost every important word ends with "ing". Therefore, while immersed in history, the poem also conveys a sense of constant movement… at the center of the paper… ray. (The poem's frequent use of religious imagery may be a tacit acknowledgment of the important and influential role that African American preachers and ministers have played in the fight against discrimination.) The prayer is, first and foremost, a call to blacks to continue to improve themselves through hard work ("Hello! big, gritty, dirty hands") and, secondly, a plea for mercy from the Christian God for the "working lands", whether this means the South, the North or America as a whole country is not indicated, nor does it matter much. Because here comes the most important message, Du Bois's impassioned plea that, united in a common history, African Americans must be united in a common pride in who they are and in a common determination to take control of their destiny and change the future. Thus the poem ends with its three most important words: "I am black."