Analysis Of Matthew Mason 's ' A Missed Opportunity '

During the 19th and 20th century African Americans faced Discrimination in the United States. Three African Americans took roles of leadership and began trying to uplift the lives of blacks in society. Those who took control of this movement were Booker T. Washington, Marcus Garvey and W.E.B Dubois. These activists wanted the same result and implemented different techniques to follow their similar hopes for blacks in America. Each of these leaders has allowed America to develop in extensive ways for several years and those yet to come. Alternate pathways were taken by each leader to resolve the overall issue of racism. These issues include things such as not having the right to vote,own property and prevent lynchings. This paper will argue that had Garvey's theory of the new negro and Dubois’ ideas of education been implemented, racism in America would have been reduced because the allocation of education would allow for their to become a new negro. The application of Marcus Garvey's theory including thoughts of W.E.B Dubois’ on racism would have brought white power to an end.

In this book, King is clearly speaking to a contemporary and mostly white audience. And the bulk of the book is devoted to answering the titular question. Time and again he steps out of the narrative to rebut various criticisms from contemporaries who said that his movement was too militant, too extreme, too impractical, too disorganized, too out-of-touch with ordinary people, too disengaged from the political process. The year 1963 marked the 100-year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and Martin Luther King asks two questions: why should we wait for emancipation? And aware of what White Americans were doing to Black Americans, "What is the Negro doing for himself?  (King p. 8) Martin Luther King concludes by pointing out the importance of expanding on the current campaign, what his hopes are for the future, why he wrote Letter from Birmingham Jail, why the campaign was the right thing to do, why America was a better place in January of 1964 than it was in January of 1963, and why America can't wait any longer to be wholly free. King examines the history of the civil rights struggle, noting tasks

Dawning the year of 1895, the future of Black America finally rested in the hands of the very people to whom it concerned, the black community. Two popular philosophies were presented, and the argument between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois began. These two advocated for very different means of acquiring equality, Washington promotes the economic survival of the masses while Dubois promoted the superior intelligence of the few. The struggle between representing the masses and isolating the few proved to be the deciding factor when determining which philosophy was capable of supporting the desired future of Black America. A future where the economic foundation of the masses proved to be the key to promoting equality among white and black America.

In Chapter three of The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B Du Bois discusses Booker T. Washington and some of his accomplishments for African Americans and also criticizes some of his lack of understanding in his propaganda that he could have done more in his position to progress African Americans status instead of trying to be accepted by the white community. Washington has been criticized by Du Bois because of his “submission” to the white view on African Americans and their rights Du Bois calling him “the most distinguished Southerner since Jefferson Davis” (Du Bois, 1903).

Even after the abolishment of slavery, African - Americans fought for their equal rights and opportunities. When slavery ended radical discrimination has became big obstacle, only a few found the courage to speak out on their beliefs for a new change. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois both share a few commonalities; expressing strong opposition against segregation, and a massive amount of education. W.E.B Dubois and Booker T. Washington were two very influential leaders in the black community during the late 19th century. They were both well-educated African- Americans; who wanted justice and equal rights for African – Americans. But they both had different points of view on economic and improvement of social standing for blacks. W.E.B Du Bois argued that Africans- Americans deserved the same rights as whites and they should not have to sacrifice their constitutional rights in order to achieve a status that they already deserved. On the other hand Booker T. Washington believed that blacks has to gradually work their way from the bottom to the top, achieve positions of power and responsibility, and then demand their rights for equal citizenship. Du Bois’s argument is more effective because every person deserves to be treated equally whether they have an education or not. WEB Du Bois had a better method of achieving his goal, because it didn’t give whites any type of power.

The struggle for equality and the battle to have one’s suppressed voice be heard is prevalent throughout the history of the United States. The Native Americans, women, and even Catholics have all encountered discrimination and belittlement in one shape or form, which eventually urged individuals within those groups to rise up and demand equal opportunity. As the United States began to shift away from slavery, one of the most deep rooted, controversial dilemmas aroused- what do black people need to do in order to gain civil rights both economically and socially? Booker T. Washington’s “Atlanta Exposition Address” and W.E.B. Du Bois's “The Soul of Black Folks” were pieces of writings influenced by the puzzle that black people were left to solve. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois had contrasting ideas, but they both contributed a piece to the puzzle in hopes of solving the never ending mind game.

In the story up from slavery, Booker Washington states that, “I have learned that 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 while trying to succeed” (59). This quote comes from a man who faced many hard times in his life and went on to become one of the first civil rights activists and a very influential writer in the modern area while overcoming the hardships that he faced in his early life. Booker T. Washington was extremely influenced by the naturalism era which lasted from the early 1870’s to the late 1920’s consisting of stories that may receive highly symbolic in certain subjects or idealistic possibly even supernatural treatment. Booker

During a time period when slavery had finally come to an end, African Americans still struggled as their opportunities for equality were next to nonexistent. In this time of hardship and unfair treatment, not many of those facing these adversities had the courage to speak out on their beliefs for change; Booker T. Washington and WEB Dubois, however, did not possess such fears — both thoroughly articulated their opinions and stood for what they believed was right. Booker T. Washington and WEB Dubois shared a few commonalities — both men were highly educated, for example, as well as they both expressed strong opposition against segregation. Washington’s Up from Slavery: An Autobiography and Dubois’

Racial discrimination, political, social and economic inequality during the late 19th century and early 20th century led various leaders within the black community to rise up and address the appalling circumstances that African Americans were forced to endure. Among these leaders were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois whom possessed analogous desires as it pertained to the advancement and upliftment of the black race. While both individuals were fighting for the same cause and purpose they embraced contrary ideologies and approaches to African American struggle. In Booker T. Washington’s book “Up from Slavery” African Americans were encouraged to be passive and focus on vocational education whereas in W.E.B. DuBois book “The Souls of Black Folk”, African Americans were encouraged to fight for their merited rights and focus on academic education. However, although Washington was convinced that his ideologies would sincerely uplift the black race, they actually proved to be detrimental, leaving DuBois ideology to be the most reasonable and appropriate solution for the advancement of the black race.

Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington is an autobiography in which the highly influential Washington reveals his thoughts as he emerged from an ex-slave in Virginia to becoming a educator and founder of one of the most important schools for African Americans in the South. Washington takes his narrative through the post-Reconstruction period, one of the most dynamic and politically driven times in American history. Throughout the autobiography, Washington shows the connection between education, race and the importance of achieving equality for African Americans through education.

In 1901, Booker T. Washington wrote an autobiography about his life entitled Up from Slavery. This book, spans from life as a slave working on a plantation to the American reconstruction era. In this eye opening book, he talks about the many difficulties and obstacles he overcame to be an inspiring human being. This book captures the essence of Washington as he slowly improved the racial tensions in the 19th century.

Booker T. Washington was born on April 5, 1856, but according to his autobiography, he does not know the actual date of birth. Washington published his autobiography titled Up from Slavery in 1901. This paper will state facts about Washington 's books and format of his writing.

The book Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington tells the story of a slave-born black man becoming a well-known educator. The book begins at his birth, in either 1858 or 1859 during an unknown month near a crossroads post office. Booker’s earliest memories were of the desolate situation he was raised in. He grew up in a 14 x 16 ft. cabin that he shared with three other people (his mother, brother, and sister), no education, and malnourishment. Although his owner was better in comparison to others, his conditions were still deplorable.

The primary source entitled Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington is an autobiography about his experiences after being released from slavery during the mid 19th century. The excerpt read for this assignment, included chapters two and three of his story. The passage began with Washington in his boyhood days and ended with his experiences at Hampton Institute in Virginia. While his attempt at getting an education began roughly, Washington’s eventual success provided a model for struggling African American youth.

The name Booker T. Washington is often closely associated with prestige and great success as a leader. However, before he was the man we know of today he came from a life of struggle and constant strife. Before he became an image of freedom and intelligence he had to endure not only conflicts externally for the color of his skin, but internally as well as he struggled to live his life accordingly without the proper guidance of a father. The autobiography Up from Slavery gives us a new perspective as the narrative tells the story of his life from slavery to becoming one of the founders of Tuskegee Institute. Yet, a man with his reputation it would be virtually impossible to reach his stature without having some sort of guidance from mentors. Of course, throughout the narrative Washington acknowledges many people in his life who he considered to be a “father figure”, but due to the fact he was the son of a slave cook and a white man he never knew, there was never a true biological father-son relationship in his life. This begs the question if the lack and absence of his own father shaped his own self-perception, his relationship with others, as well as his leadership style? By analyzing excerpts and quotes within the literature piece one could conclude that the absence of his father is something Booker T. Washington has come to terms with thus not placing heavy burden on his life style and choices.