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W.E.B. Dubois Occupation: I am an educator, author and an activist. I was the first African America to receive a PhD from Harvard. I battle for the right and equality of blacks because even though we have same rights they are not equal, until segregation is abolished we can never be equal.

Position on Issue: My position on the annexation of the Philippines is one of complete opposition. The United States has no claim in the Philippines, the people of the Philippines just want their own freedom, and independence, much like the revolutionary American Colonist did 150 years ago. What need does imperialism the Philippines fulfill? None, we have no need for land, natural resources, or immigrants; America has plenty of all three. In addition, how would America control the situation in the Philippines ? It took almost 3 months for reinforcements to arrive and support Adm. Dewey after he captured Miltila. With the Philippines being so far away, it would be difficult at best to control them. Additionally would colonizing the Philippines not spread the Great White Fleet a bit to thin, an entire hemisphere is an awful lot to protect and patrol. Now that the logistics of the Annexation have been discussed what about the moral implications? Is it not hypocritical to spread American views and values while legal segregation is firmly in place in the south? Are we not contradicting ourselves by colonizing countries while our own citizens are not true equals with each other? I feel that America as a country should not on foreign affairs while internal affairs are still in need of attention.

Reasons for Interest in Topic: -It is hypocritical for America to colonize countries and to say they are fighting for the rights of the Filipino people while African Americans are still not equal citizens

- Even as a free African American, I have seen the horrors of segregation and discrimination and it is my duty to prevent these ideals from spreading to the world.

-For the U.S. to lead the world as a power and be an example they must first abolish segregation and discrimination -If the people of the Philippines can get their freedom then this might be a stepping-stone for African Americans to abolish segregation.

-The American Government should be focused on the issued affecting Americans, not dealing with a string of islands in the south Pacific. Your constituents are here at home, not on the Philippines

Works Cited Aptheker, Herbert. "W.E.B. Du Bois and the Struggle Against Racism in the World." Web. 29 Mar. 2010. . Buzzanco, Robert. ""Anti-Imperialism"" //Department of History | College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences//. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. . Fletcher, Bill. "Remembering W.E.B. DuBois." //The// // Sacramento //// Observer - Online Edition //. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. . Ridener, Larry R. "DuBois, W. E. B." //Www.bolender.com//. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. . "W.E.B. DuBois." //Polybears.org//. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. .