Final answer:
The statement is true; W.E.B. Du Bois did explore the challenges of being both black and an American citizen, coining the term 'double-consciousness' in his work. The concept describes the dual identity experienced by African Americans and the societal conflicts that arise from systemic racism.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that Du Bois considered the question of whether one could be black and at the same time claim one's rights as an American to devise the concept of double-consciousness. Du Bois's sociological investigations into Black life in America led to a profound understanding of the inherent challenges faced by African Americans due to racial discrimination. His seminal work, The Souls of Black Folk, introduces the concept of double consciousness, which details the twoness of being an African American—experiencing the duality of being 'an American' and 'a Negro' simultaneously. This concept underscores how African Americans navigate through a society that consistently undervalues and marginalizes them, looking at themselves through the prejudiced lens of a White-dominated culture, thus experiencing a constant internal conflict.
Du Bois's exploration of the self is deeply rooted in the struggles between Africanism and Americanism. Recognizing the important place that the 'Negro soul' holds in the world, Du Bois also understood that embracing one's Black identity could lead to being seen as un-American, limiting opportunities and creating barriers to societal acceptance and equality. The double consciousness theory not only provides insight into the historical context but continues to influence discussions on race relations, the power of language, and the fostering of tolerance and acceptance across cultures.