Throughout history there has been dozens of civil rights activists, many who are still read about even today. Two of the most notable activists are W.E.B Du Bois and Booker T. Washington, both whom were the voices for African Americans. Although, both great leaders, they did not always agree completely, often butting heads over the others ideals. Booker T. Washington was a young African American man living in the south, during the civil rights era. Washington, being the last generation of slaves, became the voice of past slaves and the African American people. W.E.B Du Bois, although conflicting with Washington often, spoke of him in the highest regard. In his article “Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others” Du Bois speaks of …show more content…
ever knew. Du Bois explains how although this is ok for a southern man like Washington to conform, when making the transition from the south to the north times are different. He challenges how Washington should not have went a long preaching to the north when he did not completely understand what being in the north entailed. He describes how Washington’s educational and consumerism approach is intelligent for someone like Washington, being an educator, but not the best solution for the African American population.
From Du Bois perspective the only reason Washington came into power so quickly, was because it has been shown through history when a leader is needed, a leader will be presented. African Americans have lived a life of powerlessness and when Washington, a well-educated man, presented himself to them, they took the opportunity to be guided. In Du Bois article, he breaks down the transition from slave hood to freedom. He goes into depth about how slaves lived a life of submission and for them to be free meant they had to take the opportunity to be free. Which is opposing Washington’s proposal to conform to the white standard, because that is what African Americans have been doing for centuries. An example of this continuous oppression is referenced by Du Bois. In his article, he references in 1830 when slavery was at its peak, the Abolition movement where black leaders rallied for rights, and the Revolution of
Booker T. Washington was known as a teacher, writer, and spokesperson for African Americans. However, his plan for African Americans is not one that I particularly agree with. Although W.E.B Du Bois was not on the same level as Washington and not as respected, his plan of action was one that I in fact do agree with. Washington’s plan consisted of African Americans giving up the fight for their civil rights and continuing to depend on the white man. Du Bois on the other hand, had a plan of action. His disagreement with Washington was not just because he disliked Washington but more because he saw him as a sellout. Du Bois
To me it is obvious why many whites agreed with Washington and many blacks disagreed with him. I agree with Washington by not demanding our rights because making demands would be met with opposition and nothing will be done that is necessary to bring blacks up to the equality line. On the contrary, I disagree with the way that Washington believed that blacks should just ignore how whites treated us with violence then turn around and try to earn their respect. African Americans during this time wasn’t trying to hear this because just 3 years before his speech in Atlanta, 156 blacks were lynched in one year alone. To the blacks of that time, forgetting that was too big of a pill to swallow and it is obvious why blacks second-guessed the views of Booker T. Washington.
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
First, one could look at the contention of civil rights. Du Bois feels that Washington wants African Americans to give up their civil rights and he does not agree with this at all. Washington feels that African Americans should be friends with the same people that oppressed them. Washington says, “In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress.” (573). One can see that Washington feels
To me it is obvious why many whites agreed with Washington and many blacks disagreed with him. I agree with Washington by not demanding our rights because making demands would be met with opposition and nothing will be done that is necessary to bring blacks up to the equality line. On the contrary, I disagree with the way that Washington believed that blacks should just ignore how whites treated us with violence then turn around and try to earn their respect. African Americans during this time wasn’t trying to hear this because just 3 years before his speech in Atlanta, 156 blacks were lynched in one year alone. To the blacks of that time, forgetting that
In the late 19th and 20th century, African Americans were going through hardships. At this period of time, they wanted improvement and wanted to be treated equality but no one had the political background to fight with the Whites. However, two great leaders named Booker Washington and W.E.B Du Bois took the stance and fought for improvement. But, even though they had the goals, they had different strategies for the community.
On September 18, 1895, an African-American spokesman and leader Booker T. Washington spoke in the front of thousands of whites at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta. His famous “Atlanta Compromise” was one of the most influential speeches in American. regardless Washington soothed his listeners’ concerns about the what they said “uppity” blacks. Mr. Washington was a very well-known black educator. Even though he was born into slavery he strongly felt and believed that racism would in fact end once the blacks put effort into labor skills and proved themselves to society. He pressured industrial education for African-Americans so that they would gain respect from the whites. Washington often was good for ignoring discrimination because it didn’t phase him. But he was so nervous
Washington's acceptance of segregation and his emphasis on material progress represent an "old attitude of adjustment and submission." Du Bois asserts that this policy has damaged African Americans by contributing to the loss of the vote, the loss of civil status, and the loss of aid for institutions of higher education. Du Bois insists that "the right to vote," "civic equality," and "the education of youth according to ability" are essential for African American progress.
Education was not readily available for Southern blacks as it was for whites, and Du Bois took notice. In an effort to teach, he was taken aback by “how faithfully, how piteously, this people strove to learn.” (Du Bois, 12) While most African Americans devoted themselves to learning, the information was not presented in an understandable way, and most struggled to even make an advance in basic courses. Du Bois commented that education was a freedom denied to none, and the aggressive pursuit of a higher education was the way of crossing the threshold into equality. In a similar matter, Booker T. Washington praised the school house as a place with equal deliverance as heaven itself. His point of view came through the looking-glass of slavery, being raised a slave himself. As a child, when he carried his mistress’ books to her schoolhouse, he felt that “to get into a schoolhouse and study in this way would be about the same as getting into paradise.”(Washington, 3) Washington,
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).
In this reading response we are reviewing Booker T Washington and W.E.B Du Bois both are many who are both driven to make a difference in the black community, whether it’s being passive like Booker T or acting non-passively like W.E.B.
Lastly, Du Bois and Washington's individual experiences are historical in the fight for black equality. The two men both lived very fulfilling lives dedicated to their life work of the black cause. Washington began his educational career at the age of 16 at the Hampton Institute while performing janitorial duties to pay his board. After graduating he returned back to West Virginia and taught adults and children. He then went away to study at the Wayland Seminary in Washington D.C. where upon his completion joined the staff at the Hampton Institute. Years later in 1881 he was asked to be the president of the Tuskegee Institution which promoted literacy among freed blacks. Here began the monument of his life work, for the rest of his days would be spent supporting the school. Then, the year 1895 marked a turning point in his life when he gave the Atlanta Compromise Address speech that would outline his beliefs for the rest of his days. Furthermore, in 1900 with help from T. Thomas Fortune the creation of the National Negro Business League happened with Washington the first president. He even accepts and invitation by Andrew Garrison to go to Europe and preach his words of wisdom. The book ends with a speech before a mixed crowd of black and white to the City Council of Richmond, Virginia, and Washington never feeling more hopeful for the African-American race. Like
Washington, who had faith in the future of his race in the country, believed that hard work, patience, and self pride would build their character and eventually earn them their civil rights. This is evident in Washington's The Future of the American Negro. He shows the "impatient extremists" within the Negroes of the North whose "ill-considered, incendiary utterances tend to add to the burdens of our people in the South rather than relieve them." ("Washington," Discovering Authors)
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.
Booker T. Washington was a leader who saw power and success in passiveness and patience. He believed that African Americans would attain their rights in time through hard work, improved education and self-help. His journey from slave to leader was evidence that the black race was highly capable of helping themselves reach a degree of success and he was ultimately convinced