# The Conversation-W.E.B. Du Bois’ study ‘The Philadelphia Negro’ at 125 still explains roots of the urban Black experience

**Source**: https://afamstudies.yale.edu/news/conversation-web-du-bois-study-philadelphia-negro-125-still-explains-roots-urban-black
**Parent**: https://afamstudies.yale.edu/news/2024-02

W.E.B. Du Bois’ study ‘The Philadelphia Negro’ at 125 still explains roots of the urban Black experience – sociologist Elijah Anderson tells why it should be on more reading lists

*W.E.B. Du Bois is widely known for his civil rights activism, but many [sociologists argue](https://doi.org/10.7709/jnegroeducation.87.3.0230) that he has yet to receive due recognition as the founding father of [American sociology](https://theconversation.com/whats-sociology-a-sociologist-explains-why-floridas-college-students-should-get-the-chance-to-learn-how-social-forces-affect-everyones-lives-222365). His groundbreaking study, “[The Philadelphia Negro: A Social Study](https://www.pennpress.org/9781512824346/the-philadelphia-negro/),” was published in 1899 and exhaustively detailed the poor social conditions of thousands of Black Philadelphians in the city’s historic Seventh Ward neighborhood.*

*We spoke with [Elijah Anderson](https://elijahanderson.com/), Sterling Professor of Sociology and African American Studies at Yale University, about the importance of Du Bois’ seminal study and why it’s still relevant for Philadelphians 125 years later.* *[Read Article](http://ttps://theconversation.com/w-e-b-du-bois-study-the-philadelphia-negro-at-125-still-explains-roots-of-the-urban-black-experience-sociologist-elijah-anderson-tells-why-it-should-be-on-more-reading-lists-222032).*

Wednesday, February 28, 2024