Battle Royal, And The Planon By Ralph Ellison's The Lesson

In the earlier years of post-slavery's many uncharted territories, differences in opinions were prevalent. Such was clearly evident when referring to Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois' views of what freedom really enfold. The Atlanta Exposition speech given by Mr. Washington gives us insight into how the writer felt about challenging events of that time and how they should be handled. Although met with considerable amounts of praise, some coming from the head of state himself (then president Grover Cleveland), and Mr. Washington's address was, in one word, flawed to some. W. E. B. Du Bois was a part of that some and had no problem voicing his opinion in Of Mr. booker T. Washington and Others. The inconsistencies in viewpoint between

Booker T. Washington was a man who not only cared for himself but for the African-American Race. Washington intended to persuade African-Americans to empower themselves and to show positivity with whites. “...There are many instances of Negro tenderly caring for their former masters and mistresses (Washington, pg.7).’’ Another piece of evidence that Washington stated is, “...cast down your buckets. (Washington, pg.219). He wanted white people to hire African-Americans”. He did well empower the African-American race. “No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem…It is at the bottom we must begin and not

At the beginning of “Battle Royal,” the author, Ralph Ellison writes “…first I had to discover that I am an invisible man!” (1149). The narrator of the story has come to feel this way as a result of the actions of the white men in the story. The men seem to see the narrator’s physical being, however they lack to gain a sense of what he is able to accomplish. They refuse to acknowledge the greatness in which he is capable of due to the color of his skin. Because the story takes place during the early 1900’s, racism plays a prominent role within everyday lives. The main event which may elaborate on this statement is when the protagonist is granted the opportunity to deliver a speech, which is very important to him. The racism occurs during this event when his audience flat out ignores him and continues to talk over him until he says something that they don’t necessarily agree with. The white men seem to instantly take charge of his fate and tear the protagonist down in order to show that they are the ones who hold all of the power. This keeps the main character feeling helpless and a sense of invisibility.

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.

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).

The end of the Civil War was followed almost immediately by a new wave that would see the African Americans face great suffering and discrimination. As newly freed slaves, African Americans were presented with a dilemma to either curve a new niche in a society that once viewed and treated them as mere properties than humans. It was during these difficult times that two key figures in the African American History rose as paramount leaders of two sharply contrasting philosophical camps. The Massachusettian William Edward Burghardt and the Virginian Booker T. Washington, both held two completely contrasting proposals about the best approach for African American to overcome and thrive in the mist of their suffering and racial discrimination. Although their approaches greatly differed, both of these noble men shared a common goal in uplifting the black community in history. The aim of this paper is to argue in the contrasting philosophies of these two key figures in the history of African America.

Two great leaders of the black community in the late 19th and 20th century were W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. However, they sharply disagreed on strategies for black social and economic progress. Their opposing philosophies can be found in much of today's discussions over how to end class and racial injustice, what is the role of black leadership, and what do the 'haves' owe the 'have-nots' in the black community.

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.

In the world of segregation crises “Battle Royal” by Ralph Ellison is about a boy who just finished high school years and receives an invitation to present his valedictorian speech to the wealthy white men in town. Ellison’s protagonist reminisces about his naive life, 20 years before when the story was published in 1947. He grew up in the deep south of America in a town where prejudicism and racism was prominent. During this time the South is segregated because of the Jim Crow Law. The story shows the conflict between the races of black society and white society back in the early 1900s when segregation laws was in place. As I was reading the story I can see clearly that the battle the African-Americans are fighting for, are both mentally and physically. “Battle Royal” helps us understand the struggle of a young black man who is trying to survive in a society where white people are dominant over the lives of the black people. The young man is feels conflicted on how to live a life that is successful and prosperous in life. He is torn between his grandfather’s last words of advice and the wishes of the white society in which he longs to please but because of the lack of equality between black and white in the setting he is unsuccessful in achieving anything.

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois were very important African American leaders in the United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They both felt that African Americans should not be treated unequally in education and civil rights. They had beliefs that education is crucial for the African American community where they stressed that educating African Americans would lead them into obtaining government positions, possibly resulting in social change. Washington and Du Bois had similar goals to achieve racial equality in the United States, but there approaches were very different in educating the lives of the black population. Washington was conservative, who felt that the subordination to white leaders was essential for African Americans in becoming successful to gain political power. On the other hand, Du Bois voiced his opinions through public literature and protest, making it clear that discrimination among blacks were intolerable. The opposing ideas of these African American leaders are illustrated in Du Bois’ short story, “Of the Coming of John”, where Du Bois implies his opposition to Washington’s ideas. He shows that the subordination of educated black individuals does not result in gaining respect or equality from the white community.

“The Lesson” is a very well written fragment of the past. This is a story from New York’s inner city of Harlem where children did not have substantial education much less the money to obtain it. Not only is this story about a poor girl out of place in an expensive toy store, it is also a social commentary that teaches readers an amazing life lesson. The character Miss Moore introduces

According to Matthew Mason’s academic journal “A Missed Opportunity? The Founding, Postcolonial Realities, And The Abolition Of Slavery,” African Americans have been enslaved in America since the early 17th century.” The first slaves were brought by the Dutch to the colony of Jamestown, Virginia to help harvest tobacco. The institution of slavery was practiced in America through the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Slavery helped to build the economic foundation of the United States. When the Emancipation Proclamation was passed by Abraham Lincoln in the year 1893 it changed the lives of over three million slaves who were reclassified as “slave” to “free.” Former slaves struggled to find their place within this new world of freedom which they had not yet known before. However, African Americans still faced problems such as discrimination, lack of opportunity, stereotyping, and mortality. Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois both confronted these issues. These two men advocated for the advancement of Black people within society, however in this essay I argue that Du Bois was more effective than Booker T. Washington because of his idea that African Americans should have the same possibility to achieve the same rights as any other race in the United States.

Ellison once said, “Our social mobility was strictly, and violently, limited” (German 2). The black society is portrayed in a special way in “Battle Royal.” The boxing ring of the Battle symbolizes the confinement of blacks in their society (German 2). The whites are always superior, and the blacks are constantly held back and left fighting. “The story’s title, ‘Battle Royal,’ suggests that the incidents described in the narrative are just one battle in the ongoing racial war” (Brent 2). There is constant controversy between whites and blacks, so far as it is described as a war. In the grandfather’s speech, he describes it as a war, and he states that he wants the narrator to “keep up the good fight.” He then explains how the narrator should do so; he orders him “Live with your head in the lion’s

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.