Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois Debate
The debate between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois turned out to be one of the greatest intellectual as well as inspiring battles in our United States history. This great debate sparked the interest of African Americans and whites throughout the entire country. Both men had distinct views on how blacks should go about progressing politically, socially, as well as financially here in the United States. Both Du Bois and Washington wanted African-Americans to have the same rights as white Americans; But Du Bois encouraged African-Americans to demand equal rights, while Washington, on the other hand, often ignored discrimination. He believed that it was important for blacks to develop
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In terms of voting, Dubois believed that agitating for the ballot was necessary, but opposed giving the vote to the uneducated blacks. He believed that economic gains were not secure unless there was political power to safeguard them. Washington, on the other hand, felt that the right to vote was not a necessity and the only thing that would come out of protesting for voting rights is the irritation of whites.
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.
Works Cited
Dubois, W.E.B. The Souls of Black Folk. UMDrive. The University of Memphis. N.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2014.
Washington, Booker T. “Speech at the Atlanta Exposition.” African
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
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.
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Dubois were two famous African American leaders during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were both activists and wanted blacks to have an education; they also wanted to end discrimination towards blacks. These leaders both wrote great speeches which clearly specified what they thought was right for African Americans. Even though Washington and Dubois focused on the same social, political and economic issues, they strongly disagreed on strategies of achieving their goal of equality.
To begin with, Booker and Dubois had many differences. For instance, Dubois was a Communist, while Booker was a Democrat. Also, their Political Philosophies were different. Dubois believed that they needed equality and Civil Rights now. On the other side, Washington claimed that “blacks should endure and put up with discrimination,” and that blacks should, “work hard
One of the primary differences between DuBois and Washington was in the ways they believed equality would be achieved. DuBois believed that political change was the first step in achieving equality. If the black populous worked on economy only then they would perpetuate the stereotypes that white people place upon them. By accepting racist and prejudicial viewpoints, the African American communities were affirming their inferiority to the white majority. Only through political equality, for example the right to vote, could men enact any real or meaningful social and
That there should be more civil right movements passed to protect the African people from lynching and discrimination. Also, they should not cave to white race just because they think they are inferior to the black people. DuBois's idea seemed more logical to me because it was the foundation that was laid down for the Civil Right’s Act. He makes it known that the black race must help themselves by promoting their race. He does this by creating the NAACP and the Niagara movement. DuBois was also very upfront and did it in a way that was his own way, he did not scoop into the pockets of rich business men nor did he go and be tycoon behind others back. He created several works of literature to make his voice known on how he felt about Washington and his ways of going about social equality and how he does not approve of it. I really don’t have any personal experiences with a situation like this or any related because I do not tolerate inequality at all. I was raised to believe that everyone is equal to you no matter what color skin they have, religion they believe in, or sexual preference. I just know that there is a right and wrong way to perceive things and DuBois is what I believe is the right way to go with pursuing the dream of equality and true
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, both early advocates of the civil rights movement, offered solutions to the discrimination experienced by black men and women in the nineteenth and twentieth century. Despite having that in common, the two men had polar approaches to that goal. Washington, a man condoning economic efficiency had a more gradual approach as opposed to Du Bois, whose course involved immediate and total equality both politically and economically. For the time period, Washington overall offers a more effective and appropriate proposition for the time whereas Du Bois's approach is precedent to movements in the future. Both have equal influence over African Americans in politics. Washington's proposal excels in reference
W.E.B. Dubois was the rivaling civil rights leader during the early 20th century. W.E.B. Dubois believed that through political action and education, full-citizenship of African Americans in America would be achieved. At first, he agreed with Booker T. Washington’s teachings, however through time Dubois realized flaws within Washington’s ideas. Dubois, in “Soul of Black Folk” writes, “The black men of America have a duty to perform, a duty stern and delicate, -- a forward movement to oppose a part of the work of their greatest leader. So far as Mr. Washington peaches
W.E.B. DuBois was a very strong advocate for black people being treated equally to white people. He co-founded the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Which was a very important part of the civil rights movement. The NAACP was “created to work for the abolition of segregation and discrimination in housing, education, employment, voting, and transportation; to oppose racism; and to ensure African Americans their constitutional rights”. He also created a book called “The Souls Of Black Folk” Which made him more popular, with the main Idea of the book being that the “central problem of the Twentieth Century is the problem of the color line.” He was a man who fought for equality, where Booker T. Washington, on the other hand, did not. Booker T. Washington thought that black people should in fact have different rights then white people, and that instead of fighting it, black people should just accept it, and focus on economic self-improvement. He also believed that black people should not fight for equal rights, because it would lead to more anti-black violence, such as lynching which is the act of killing someone, most commonly by hanging, by mob action and without legal authority. By these facts you can tell that Washington and
DuBois’ and Washington’s ideas differentiate in a couple of ways. DuBois stressed that the only ways to reach equality were through intellectual views, education and civil rights. Washington believed equality could be obtained through economic independence and being a productive member of the society he lived in. DuBois strongly disagreed with Washington mainly because of Washington’s idea to put off the discrimination issues. Washington’s “Atlanta Compromise” speech was to advocate African American people’s agricultural and practical skills. DuBois felt these skills weren’t primarily important, since he had set his focus on intellectual views. Another difference between the two was DuBois demanded civil rights in the present, while Washington thought it was best to put them off for the time being. Washington had the accommodation for whites and African Americans to work together, yet DuBois wanted the talented African Americans to lead the struggle to secure civil rights. The greatest difference between them were their political views.
The views of W.E.B. DuBois was more popular among blacks compared to those views of Booker T. Washington. DuBois believed that
W.E.B. DuBois, a black intellectual believed that Washington's strategy would only serve to perpetuate white oppression. DuBois initially advocated for Washington's strategy, however he grew to find it unacceptable as he became more outspoken about racial injustice. DuBois campaigned for a civil rights agenda and argued that educated blacks could accomplish social change. With the belief that African Americans should work together to battle inequality DuBois helped found the NAACP. DuBois was not content with attempting to gain an economic foothold; he wanted absolute equality in all aspects of life. DuBois believed that Washington "devalued the study of liberal arts, and ignored the economic exploitation of the black masses. He believed that "The Negro Race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men. The problem of education then, among Negroes, must first of all deal with the Talented Tenth.' [which] is the problem of developing the best of this race that they may guide the Mass away from the contamination and death of the worst." He believed that the economic and political issues facing African Americans could be solved if the most talented ten
However, Du Bois believed that people must fight for what they believe in and to never give up until the goal is met. In David Blatty’s article, “W. E. B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington and the Origins of the Civil Rights Movement” he states, “In contrast to Washington, Du Bois maintained that education and civil rights were the only way to equality, and that conceding their pursuit would simply serve to reinforce the notion of blacks as second-class citizens.” This quote shows how Du Bois was very determined to reach his goal of ending color discrimination. In the article, “Difference between Booker T Washington and WEB Du Bois,” it states, “Political and social accommodation was a trademark of Booker T. Washington’s Atlanta Compromise. This speech included a pledge not to demand equal rights such as suffrage, racial integration, or liberal arts education.” This quote portrays how Booker T. Washington believed that it was crucial to approach color discrimination
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois definitely had their differences, but they also had some similarities.The one main goal that both of them were trying to reach was equality for every single person no matter what color. First off, they both had peaceful aspects of their beliefs. For example, W.E.B. DuBois became a member of the NAACP which was founded on the belief that nonviolent protests and legal actions were the best ways to ensure equal rights for all Americans. Also, Booker T. Washington did not think that violent protesting would help so he never started any violent uprisings. Next, they both valued work just as much as education. Booker T. Washington has a quote that states “no race can prosper until it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field and in writing a
They had different ideas on how to fix the problem that African-Americans faced while living in white America. The negro problem at the time resulted from the exclusion of the negro from the group life of American society. This problem was caused by the racial prejudice that the negro faced at the time, prejudice in all aspects of American life (cultural, socially, economically, and education). The two men saw that the only way to resolve this problem was by addressing them head on; so that African-Americans could later go on to integrate with their fellow American citizens and live regular lives. The debate split African-Americans on which vision to follow, the submissive and conservative of Washington or the aggressive and straight forward vision of Dubois. The importance of these two leaders to African-American history are unparallel. When analyzing the debate regarding the problem, I feel it is useful to examine the sides taken by each player regarding the economic, social, and political conditions facing the negro at the time and how they felt it could be improved for future generations. Through analysis a vision will be constructed using the two players arguments on what one may believe would be have made a perfect unison vision for the African-American race at the time.