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Home • News

So, About That Time The Department Of Education Couldn't Spell W.E.B. Du Bois

Following the controversial confirmation of Betsy DeVos, the Department of Education is off to a great start.   
So, About That Time The Department Of Education Couldn't Spell W.E.B. Du Bois
MPI/Getty Images
By Mariya Moseley · Updated October 26, 2020
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Not even a week into leadership with newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, and the Department of Education is already under fire for misspelling iconic sociologist and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois’ name.

Education must not simply teach work - it must teach life. – W.E.B. DeBois pic.twitter.com/Re4cWkPSFA

— U.S. Department of Education (@usedgov) February 12, 2017

DeVos, a billionaire Michigan fundraiser with no educational experience, has been deemed unqualified for a number of reasons. In addition, many question the motives behind her confirmation, as reports show that her family has donated approximately $200 million to Republicans. 

Not surprisingly, this blooper during Black History Month was given no sympathy by the internet––even after the Department sent an apology, which also had a misspelling. Their tweet said “our deepest apologizes for the earlier typo.” The correct word should have been apologies. 

Among those to clap back was the NAACP, which sent a personal message to the Department shortly after writing a tweet to celebrate 108 years of rich Black history.

"In the Days of Loose & Careless Logic, We Must Teach Thinkers to THINK." - William Edward Burghardt DU Bois 👏🏽 https://t.co/3m03Vnt5C1

— NAACP (@NAACP) February 12, 2017

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Many others dragged the administration, including Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Is it funny sad or sad funny that our Dept. of Education misspelled the name of the great W. E. B. Du Bois? https://t.co/egi6Nn15gp

— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) February 12, 2017

Um. You spelled his name wrong. It's DuBois. Happy Black History Month, everybody! https://t.co/q1TLQpH386

— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) February 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/jelani9/status/830816478857355264

In case you were holding onto hope @BetsyDeVos wouldn't ruin everything. The Dept. of Ed misspelled DuBois... during #BlackHistoryMonth. https://t.co/dBI3g53gRP

— W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) February 12, 2017

No no no. The Dept. of Education has misspelled the name of W.E.B Du Bois. You can't make this up. pic.twitter.com/njYnWL0uCU

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 12, 2017

Du Bois was the co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and authored various texts/essays, including The Souls of Black Folks and Black Reconstruction in America.