Near the close of the nineteenth century, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois both strived for change in ending racism each in their own way. There are some people that believed the peaceful way that Washington went about achieving change to end racism was the best way, and there are others that believed that DuBois’ idea to agitate to achieve the end of racism was a better plan. Washington was very non-confrontational in his stance of how African-American people should ultimately achieve this goal. DuBois tried to achieve the goal in a very aggressive way compared to his contemporaries, including Washington. Washington, in his “Atlanta Exposition Address”, called for the appeasement of the people in the North and the South, and in …show more content…
DuBois also had distinct theories of what he thought African-Americans needed to put into practice, so that they would not be oppressed any longer. DuBois definitely saw the value and worth of African-American people getting both industrial and traditional education. DuBois envisioned all African-Americans being well educated, in the industrial arts and the classics, which would lead to being able to rise up in the world as leaders and teachers. DuBois explained Washington’s mindset as “And so thoroughly did he learn the speech and thought of triumphant commercialism, and the ideals of material prosperity, that the picture of a lone black boy poring over a French grammar amid the weeds and dirt of a neglected home soon seemed to him the acme of absurdities.” (DuBois, 2). Washington recommended that African-Americans should start by being in the workforce first, and then after they get wealthy, gaining power through other means and equality would come. Washington thought that his way, his process of easing into society and ending racism, was better than trying to make several demands all at once. DuBois didn’t seem to be as patient with how slowly things were progressing along with the end of racism. So much so, that DuBois believed that African-Americans should fight for their rights as humans to be immediately integrated completely into society.
DuBois had very different views than Washington. He believed that education was important, but not so important that the standards and rights of African-Americans were lowered or looked down upon.
In conclusion, the debate between W.E.B Dubois and Washington was nothing short of remarkable and genius. Although both men had two separate ways about doing things they both shared the same common goal, which was bettering the lives of African Americans. In my opinion, W.E.B Dubois plan to go strongly for African American rights and equality was the better strategy. Not only did he help bring us together but he gave blacks a sense of self confidence that they didn’t possess before. For once blacks believed not only can you be as good as the white man but better. While some may agree that Mr. Washington’s plan to endure the second citizenship title was only degrading and keeping the black man down. Although Washington had honorable goals Dubois gave the people a strong sense of empowerment and worthiness that has helped the black race grows into what it is today.
When it all comes down to it, one of the greatest intellectual battles U.S. history was the legendary disagreement between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. This intellectual debate sparked the interest of the Northerners as well as the racist whites that occupied the south. This debate was simply about how the blacks, who just gained freedom from slavery, should exist in America with the white majority. Even though Washington and DuBois stood on opposite sides of the fence they both agreed on one thing, that it was a time for a change in the treatment of African Americans. I chose his topic to write about because I strongly agree with both of the men’s ideas but there is some things about their views that I don’t agree with. Their
DuBois and Wells saw no reason to tolerate any form of racial inequality. DuBois once said, “The freedman has not yet found in freedom the promised land” (DuBois). Dubois and Wells both called for action. Through newspaper articles and speeches, they spoke against all of the assaults on their civil rights – from political disenfranchisement, legally-enforced segregation, and extra-legal violence – and advocated for movements among African-Americans. Booker T. Washington spoke, however, on creating peace between the races and believed the most useful tool to advance African-American interests was to focus on becoming more educated and involved in the economic
DuBois focused on developing education for the African American race and philosophy to develop. This is the second chapter in his book The Negro Problem. He talks about that with an educated group of exceptional leaders, the rest of the African American community would also benefit from this education. DuBois and Washington are rivals during the time that this document was written and DuBois is trying to focus on industrial education, as like Washington did in his speech. DuBois claims “to attempt to establish any sort of a system of common and industrial school training, without first providing for the higher training of the very best teachers, is simply throwing your money to the winds (3).” Whereas Washington believed in an industrial education, DuBois believed that African Americans needed a classical education. He seeks to promote, “intelligence, broad sympathy, knowledge of the world that was and is and of the relation of man to it” (33-4). DuBois, wants blacks to get a classical education so that they would be able to do something with their lives and reach their full potential. He believes they need to do this for their own self to be able to make a living. I feel like this is very important because I do not think the race of someone should affect the way they are treated in society. During this time, they were not always treated fairly, and most did not even get an education. DuBois just wanted what was best for
In my own opinion Booker T. Washington gave the best advice. The emphasis of W.E.B. Dubois is on blacks gaining equality with whites. Dubois believed that blacks should be educated and be book smart, in their quest to gaining equality with the whites. On the Contrary, Washington’s philosophy is based on the belief that blacks should get education and develop capabilities so that they can be useful to the society. He believed that blacks will have better standing in the society (and not necessarily equality) if they will put their attention on developing themselves rather than fighting for equality. I see this position of Washington as a wise position that could foster peaceful co-existence among Americans. While I do not consider Dubois’
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois were both influential men in their time period. They both set goals for themselves and achieved them with high recogonization. Even though Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois lived two different lives, their main goal was to impact the minds of younger african american people.
Imagine being hung on a rope with your life crashing down right in front of your eyes. You don’t know what you did wrong besides speaking up for your rights. You think to yourself, how could people really be this evil and kill me for the color of my skin? In the 1900s, lynching was a common public form of execution used when African-Americans spoke up for their rights and equalities they deserved to have. There were many people that fought for equality using different approaches, but two of the most powerful leaders that made great change within the black community in the late 19th century and 20th century were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. Booker T. Washington’s passive view on the racial inferiority of African-Americans was all about accommodation while W.E.B. DuBois's aggressive view was all based upon resistance. He wanted to fight back because he thought the racial discrimination was unacceptable while Washington wanted to accept discrimination temporarily to avoid more anti-black violence. Despite their differences in views, Washington and DuBois shared one common goal: the future equality for all African-Americans.
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. .” This quote was said by the famously intelligent, hard working, and dedicated activist, Booker T Washington. He, being born a slave, knew this since his childhood and he knew the obstacles that would be in his way as a black man, even after the Civil war. Booker T Washington and W.E.B DuBois were 2 very different people with very different pasts. W.E.B. was born in the north prior to the civil war where many people accepted and welcomed African Americans into society. His past differs so much from Booker T’s childhood of slavery. Overall, both of these historical figures made a positive impact on society and equality even though they achieved their goals with different viewpoints regarding how to achieve them.
Booker T Washington and W.E.B Dubois offered different strategies for dealing with the problems of poverty and discriminations faced by Black Americans at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th Centuries.
Both Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois recognized that there was a gap between them that took completely different approaches to achieve one goal. Until the time of Du Bois, Washington was among many of the black activists. Many people today still condemn the views of Washington and his “racial uplift.” Washington being educated in Hampton, a Freedman’s Bureau, believed that if you were taught the skills, African Americans would be able to improve themselves economically and the rest of equality would follow. But DuBois on the other hand was educated at Harvard, and he
They are currently without social rights, political rights, and higher education. Without the help of the upper class Whites, African American will be stuck in this treacherous position as “free slaves.” According to DuBois, the “Negro problem” through Washington’s doctrine, lies on “the Negro’s shoulder.” This is wrong because it is absolutely impossible for them to achieve this on their own. The Whites of the country are a massive part to this equation. DuBois voices his opinion on the subject when he states that “this burden belongs to the nation, and the hands of none of us are clean if we bend not our energies to righting these wrongs.” Although this completely contradicts Washington’s view, DuBois had the right
Washington believes that blacks, starting with so little, would have to begin at the bottom and work up gradually to achieve positions of power and responsibility. DuBois understands Washington’s program, but believes that this is not the solution. DuBois shows opposition to Washington’s approach, not his intent.
Dubois influenced African Americans to set a goal to reach a liberal arts education. Dubois believed that African Americans only earned their rights through education, not through the social sciences. The education of African Americans served purposes to the bettering of the African race and to lessen the knowledge about African Americans in the white race. Through education, Dubois wanted to eliminate ignorance about African American people and educate the world about the contributions to society that African American people could potentially make. It was these reasons stated above, that were expressed into social factors and other reasons which led Dubois to becoming one of the leading activists and revolutionary thinkers of his time, in particular in the area of contradicting politics and academic research.
Two great leaders in the late 19th and 20th century of the black community were W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. Even after of slavery, African Americans fought for their equal rights and opportunities. During the time of unfair treatments, few people found the courage to speak out on their beliefs for a change. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois regularly coherent their opinions and stand for what they believe is right. However, they sharply disagreed on strategies for black social and economic progress. Their opposing personality, philosophies, and legacy can be found in much of today 's discussions over how to end class and racial injustice.