In the poem, we wear the mask how do people overcome adversity

People overcome adversity by wearing social and emotional masks.

Explanation:

"We Wear the Mask" is a social poem by African-American author Paul Laurence Dunbar. This poem concerns how the black community in the Post-Civil War United States still suffered with racism and segregation. Yet, African-Americans figuratively wore masks - they acted as if they were happy, content. Former slaves were forced to fight a war that was not their own, and then to act as if life was good, as if they did not suffer.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries

To thee from tortured souls arise.

We sing, but oh the clay is vile

Beneath our feet, and long the mile;

But let the world dream otherwise,

      We wear the mask!

Still, their mask became their strength. It prevented their enemies from knowing and using their suffering against them. The black community used their emotional and social masks to overcome adversities, to keep on going, fighting for their rights.