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Compare And Contrast Washington And W. E. B. Dubois

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Brooker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois Essay

Brooker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois had very differing views on creating racial equality in the United States, Washington believing that blacks should work to acquire economic freedom and a greater education while DuBois believed that only the vote could save them from a“second slavery.” Washington had the better solution to the issue; if blacks could show whites that they could be valuable members of the workforce, while still experiencing segregation, they would win the respect of whites, which would then lead to them getting civil rights. DuBois’ solution of forcing black suffrage down the white population’s throat, a white population that hadn’t got used to blacks being free, would only …show more content…

Washington philosophy was one of economic independence and education for the African American race. Author Earl Thorpe described it as “ the first positive [philosophy]that the masses of Negroes in America ever had.” Washington believed that African Americans must be taught farming and industrial skills so they could be valuable members of the workforce.He thought that this would allow the African American population to gain respect from the whites,and be, “fully accepted as citizens and integrated into all strata of society” (PBS).Washington wanted African Americans to realize it wasn’t disgraceful or embarrassing to labor, saying that labor brought “independence and self reliance” as well as the joy that came with “doing something that the world wants done” (Washington). He believed that the greatest impediment to freedom is African Americans forgetting, “the fact that the masses of [AfricanAmericans] are to live by the production of our own hands” (Washington, Up From Slavery, pg 219-224). Washington believed in economic freedom for African …show more content…

Even though African Americans would have to experience segregation for a while, it is much more important for them to become an important part of the workforce, and give the white population time to accept and respect them. With an accepting white population, the transition to black suffrage would be much smoother. DuBois’ approach is much more elitist, with only those with a background in education in power. It also doesn’t recognize the power the white population has. If the white population became upset because they felt like blacks weren’t deserving of the vote and other civil rights, they could become violent, or try to create laws that would seem racially equal but actually stop blacks from voting. In general, Brooker T. Washington has the better plan to create racial equality in

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