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Compare Washington's Atlanta Exposition Address To African Americans

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3a. Booker T. Washington’s response regarding the following years of the Civil War and the era of Reconstruction is an interesting one to say the least. Unlike most African Americans at the time who wanted equality immediately, Washington understood that things would not happen instantaneously. Therefore, his address at the Atlanta Exposition upset some of his fellow African Americans. The reason for this was due to the influence his words and opinions had on both parties present. Washington was not concerned about the segregation. His main concern was for the whites to allow African Americans to contribute to the economic progress of the country. He wanted to befriend the Southern white man and had argued that in order to better the …show more content…

3b. During Booker T. Washington’s Atlanta Exposition Address, he planned on compromising with the whites in order to get closer to equality for African Americans. In Washington’s effort to compromise with the Southern whites he says, “Cast it down in agriculture, mechanics, in commerce, in domestic service, and in the professions.” In this statement, Washington states that he will push African Americans to become proficient in a trade, which would allow them to contribute more to society. Washington believes this statement would allow African Americans to further their knowledge, as well as provide more opportunities for them and eventually cause them to gain their equality and natural rights. However, Washington also states that segregation during this time is okay by saying, “In all things social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress." Washington’s reasoning behind this type of mindset was because he understood that this change of lifestyle was just as drastic for African Americans as it was for whites. Therefore, he wanted to make this transition as smooth as …show more content…

He attempted to do this by appealing more to white Southerners during his Atlanta Exposition Address; however, he only upset many African Americans. Washington’s approach was a much more gradual one compared to what other members of the African American community had in mind. Therefore, Booker T. Washington faced scrutiny from his fellow African Americans for this opinion. Other African Americans, such as W.E.B. Du Bois, wanted to gain their equality immediately and by any means necessary. African Americans felt bitter towards Washington because they felt that he was not as concerned with obtaining equal rights for African Americans. African Americans wanted to stand up and fight for the rights that they felt they deserved following years of being oppressed by slavery. An alternate course of action to Booker T. Washington’s plan of attack would be quite similar, yet it would be one where the segregation of races would not be tolerated. Washington’s ideology of gaining a trade is a respectable idea; however, African Americans must also stand up

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