W. E. B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington W. E. B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington were both highly intelligent African American men who wrote about the disparities between the lives of whites and blacks in the United States during the nineteenth and into the twentieth centuries. Each man saw the way in which his fellow African Americans were being treated by the white majority and used their intelligence and persuasive skills to bring attention to this very serious issue. Both men fought for equality through nonviolent protest and the application of logical argument and reasoning in order to better their lives and those of their social and ethnic brothers. Despite their shared goal of racial and sociological equality, the two men had very different ideas about how equality would be achieved and about what the African American community should or ought to expect in terms of actually obtaining that equality. 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
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
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.
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.
W. E. B. Du Bois and Booker T Washington had very different views about their culture and country. Du Bois, being born in the North and studying in Europe, was fascinated with the idea of Socialism and Communism. Booker T Washington, on the other hand, was born in the South, and like so many others, had a Black mother and a White father. Thus being born half-white, his views and ideas were sometimes not in the best interest of his people.
W.E.B Du Bois and Booker T. Washington were both African American leaders of the 20th Century. However, they strongly differed on creating racial justice in the United States. Their difference in philosophies is still found in much of today's discussions about how to end class and racial injustice. DuBois believed that blacks should fight for their rights by being intellectual and starting at the bottom to end up at the peak of the mountain. Strongly reside in the aspect of W.E.B DuBois.
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
Two of the most influential people in shaping the social and political agenda of African Americans were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois, both early twentieth century writers. While many of their goals were the same, the two men approached the problems facing African Americans in very different ways. This page is designed to show how these two distinct thinkers and writers shaped one movement, as well as political debate for years afterward.
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.
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
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
Audre Lorde once wrote in the book of poems; Our Dead Behind Us, “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” Every race, group of people, and individuals have differences that can dominate over their similarities. Rather than pointing out the differences, they should be accepted and encouraged, at least this is what many thought during the time of racism. Booker Taliaferro Washington was a very dominant figure in the African-American community. He was an educator, author, public speaker, and an advisor. In contrast, William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was a historian, civil rights activist, sociologist, author, writer, and editor. He worked with movements to strengthen bonds between those with African backgrounds, under the belief of unity. Both Washington and Du Bois were very active in the issues of racism against African-Americans during the 1900’s. Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois strongly wanted change in how the black race were treated by the white race, however they had very different points of view in which Washington thought that accommodation was key, whereas Du Bois thought resistance would work best.
Firstly, DuBois presented clearer ideas than Washington did. Washington just requested education for black Americans, whereas DuBois demanded an integrated, legitimate education. There was no room for loopholes in DuBois’ plan, while Washington’s plan possibly could not make any real progress towards racial equality due to its lack of specificities. Also, DuBois’ plans had greater merits in changing the nation than Washington’s plan. Washington’s plan was slightly beneficial to African Americans because it pushed for education for black people in the country, however had no major effect on the status of African Americans in the long-run. He agreed to segregation and racial inequality, therefore he did not ask for any major changes to the racial pyramid of the nation. While Washington did not ask for any significant reforms, DuBois did. DuBois had the goal of making African Americans socially, economically, and politically equal under the law of the country in every way. DuBois wanted to actually change the racial dynamics of the country. The merits of his plan strongly exceeded the goals of Washington’s
DuBois philosophies possessed a “fight for right’s mentality”. His view was that everyone has a “constitutional right” to freedom and equality. Du Bois took a forceful stance against Booker T. Washington's strategies of “working within the system”, calling instead for "ceaseless agitation and insistent demand for equality," and the "use of force of every
Booker T. Washington’s opinion on social equality was flagrantly different than Dubois’s opinion. Booker T. Washington was a former slave, so naturally I feel he was a fairly passive individual, yet very intelligent. But in respect to social equality, Washington felt equality was superfluous. As Washington explains in Atlantic Exposition Address, that he was called to deliver on behave of the Negro race. Washington fosters: