preview

Racial Equality : Economics Vs Education

Decent Essays

Racial Equality: Economics vs Education
Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois were two of many very influential Black leaders in African American history. These men, though born over a decade apart, shared a common aspiration of obtaining equal rights and sought education for change on the behalf of Blacks. However, the philosophy in which these goals would be achieved differed greatly among the two.
Booker T. Washington was born April 5, 1856 in Franklin County, Virginia. His mother was a slave which meant that he too would be considered as a slave. The living conditions of he and his family were extremely poor to say the least. Not only that, Washington would occasionally experience harsh treatments from slave owners who would beat him for unsatisfactory performances of his duties. As a slave, Washington was not allowed to learn how to read and write. Nevertheless, this did not hinder his desire to receive an education.
W. E. B. Du Bois was born February 23, 1868 in the predominantly White town of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Unlike Washington, Du Bois was born after the conclusion of the Civil War. After this point, the United States had implemented the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery (Slavery…); meaning he was born free. As a result, he was at liberty to educate himself even among Whites. It was not until Du Bois was 22 years old that he experienced racial segregation; this, while attending Fisk University in

Get Access