DuBois was considered to be the inspiration for the literary movement known as the “Harlem Renaissance.” Du Bois also believed that if a small group of young black Americans could stay and retain the information in college educations, then they could be leaders of the race and encourage other black Americans to do the same and to reach a higher level of education. Contrary to Booker T. Washington. W.E.B. Du Bois assumed that if you wanted to achieve something and be good at it, you have to just got for it without turning back. Altered from Booker T. Washington, Du Bois understood that not all black men could go to college, but he believed that the ones that could, should, and should be able to succeed. There were six black institutions, and they were “Atlanta, Fisk, Howard, Shaw, Wilberforce, and Leland, and in those six institutes, only seven hundred and fifty were black college students.” Du Bois take on a trade school was different then Washington’s take on a trade school. Du Bois had said that “trade schools cannot teach people skills and how to fund themselves while keeping industries on a commercial basis.” W.E.B. Du Bois had said that he thinks that there should be social change, and that this could happen if there was a small group of college educated blacks that would be called “the Talented Tenth.” With this Du Bois says: "The Negro Race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men. The problem of education then, among Negroes, must first of all deal with the "Talented Tenth." It is the problem of developing the best of this race that they may guide the Mass away from the contamination and death of the worst." Both Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois recognized that there was a gap between them that took completely different approaches to achieve one goal. Until the time of Du Bois, Washington was among many of the black activists. Many people today still condemn the views of Washington and his “racial uplift.” Washington being educated in Hampton, a Freedman’s Bureau, believed that if you were taught the skills, African Americans would be able to improve themselves economically and the rest of equality would follow. But DuBois on the other hand was educated at Harvard, and he
Although Du Bois new that jobs and education were a good thing he didn’t feel like it was enough and he made sure to voice that. Du Bois believed that, African Americans rights and self-worth was more important and education would come with their rights, which is completely right. Du Bois plan was to fight for political power first, that way there is African Americans in office to let the African Americans voices be heard and let them have some say in the decisions being made about them. Once they received political power they then would fight for civil rights because once they received political power it would be harder for them to deprive African Americans of their rights when there is an African American in office with higher power. Du Bois then felt that once the political power and civil right were received then the fight for higher education for the African American youth would be the next battle. Once you have rights and political power to make decisions he felt higher education could be received and never taken from them again. Du Bois plan was problematic but
The stark differences between Booker T Washington and W.E.B. DuBois and their approaches to racism
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
W. E. B. Du Bois was born in Great Barrington,In 1884 he graduated as valedictorian from high school. He got his bachelor of arts from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. He was the first african american to earn their P.H.D. DuBois was the leader of the Niagara Movement, a group of African-American activists who wanted equal rights for blacks. W.E.B dubois argued that social change could be accomplished by developing the small group of college-educated blacks he called "the Talented Tenth:" Dubois disagreed with Washington's opinions but also respect for him as one of the first true black intellectuals who tried to help the black race. Dubois focused on a strategy called the gradualist political strategy. the strategy tells that Dubois
Furthermore, Booker T. Washington did not share strategies with Du Bois on one side, and the strategies of W. E. B. Du Bois did not share with Washington. Booker mostly focused on education and wanted African Americans to fight for what they’re worth, to work hard and become someone important in the community. On the other hand, Washington fought for equality. He wanted the White Americans to respect the blacks. His point view was that the community should be led by the most talented. Basically, he wanted blacks and
Du Bois had high hopes for the "Talented Tenth": after thorough education they could succeed. The fight for first class citizenship could be earned through the university educated Negro through the court systems. Although it is a well thought out solution, the number of black college students enrolled was still quite low at the time. He believed along with others, "that industrial education [would] not stand [African Americans] in place of political, civil, and intellectual liberty" (Doc H). It is true that being cultured is important but for the time, labor was the necessity and would bring supposed status.
Two men with the same goals but different views on how they should be achieved is exactly how Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois’ controversy should be described as. Their debate revolved around the idea of abolishing slavery as well as paving the way for the modernized Civil Rights Act in America to take place. Washington and DuBois were born in the same time period with the same intentions, yet had different methods of approaching how to do them. Both of their ideas were focused on how America could be best improved for the future in political, social and educational ways. Booker T. Washington’s perspective and ideologies were better than DuBois’ for
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois were two different people with completely different beliefs. To start off, Booker T. Washington was a black educator in the late 19th century and early 20th century. He was born a slave, but around the age of 9, union soldiers arrived at their plantation and told him and his family they were free. He also believed that “directly fighting for equality would only lead to more anti-black violence (such as lynching)” and also wanted to accept discrimination temporarily. W.E.B. DuBois was very different from Booker T. Washington. He was the first african american to earn a Ph D from harvard. He was best known for being a African-American rights spokesperson. He had opposing thoughts from Booker T. Washington. He believed that color discrimination is unacceptable and that black boys needed education as well as white boys. These two men’s thoughts made them drastically different from each other.
W. E. B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington were both highly intelligent African American men who wrote about the disparities between the lives of whites and blacks in the United States during the nineteenth and into the twentieth centuries. Each man saw the way in which his fellow African Americans were being treated by the white majority and used their intelligence and persuasive skills to bring attention to this very serious issue. Both men fought for equality through nonviolent protest and the application of logical argument and reasoning in order to better their lives and those of their social and ethnic brothers. Despite their shared goal of racial and sociological equality, the two men had very different ideas about how equality would be achieved and about what the African American community should or ought to expect in terms of actually obtaining that equality.
W.E.B. DuBois, a black intellectual believed that Washington's strategy would only serve to perpetuate white oppression. DuBois initially advocated for Washington's strategy, however he grew to find it unacceptable as he became more outspoken about racial injustice. DuBois campaigned for a civil rights agenda and argued that educated blacks could accomplish social change. With the belief that African Americans should work together to battle inequality DuBois helped found the NAACP. DuBois was not content with attempting to gain an economic foothold; he wanted absolute equality in all aspects of life. DuBois believed that Washington "devalued the study of liberal arts, and ignored the economic exploitation of the black masses. He believed that "The Negro Race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men. The problem of education then, among Negroes, must first of all deal with the Talented Tenth.' [which] is the problem of developing the best of this race that they may guide the Mass away from the contamination and death of the worst." He believed that the economic and political issues facing African Americans could be solved if the most talented ten
William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, labeled as a radical, had a solid idea for African American progression called the "Talented Tenth". In his essay called The Talented Tenth he mentioned, "The negro race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men". Du Bois believed that if a small group of black persons attained college educations they will be leaders of the race and encourage the rest to do the same and reach a higher level of education. Du Bois stated, "If this be trueand who can deny itthree tasks lay before me; first to show from the past that the Talented Tenth as they have risen among American Negroes have been worthy of leadership; secondly; to show how these men may be educated and developed; and thirdly, to show their relation to the Negro problem". Du Bois believed on contrary to Booker T. Washington that if you wanted something accomplished you go right at it. Taking a shot at Washington 's theory he claimed, "This is an age of unusual economic development, and Mr. Washington 's programme naturally takes an economic cast, becoming a gospel of Work and Money to such an extent as
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois definitely had their differences, but they also had some similarities.The one main goal that both of them were trying to reach was equality for every single person no matter what color. First off, they both had peaceful aspects of their beliefs. For example, W.E.B. DuBois became a member of the NAACP which was founded on the belief that nonviolent protests and legal actions were the best ways to ensure equal rights for all Americans. Also, Booker T. Washington did not think that violent protesting would help so he never started any violent uprisings. Next, they both valued work just as much as education. Booker T. Washington has a quote that states “no race can prosper until it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field and in writing a
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.
Researching The Harlem Renaissance I’ve learned that African Americans have always strived to be great and live a successful life and moving away from the harsh conditions of the South was a very big part of that, many of African American writers came from the south in search for a place where they could freely express themselves in the poems they write and the music they sing like jazz and blues. The most interesting I’ve learned about The Harlem Renaissance was that people called it “New Negro” because included poets, novelists and Jazz singers creating their art out of Negro folk heritage and history black leaders like W.E.B Dubois fighting against corruption and for expanded opportunities for African Americans. But I think the term
Labeled as a radical, William Edward Burghardt DuBois had a solid idea for African American progression. “Described variously as the ‘most outspoken civil rights activist in America,’ and ‘the undisputed intellectual leader of a new generation of African- Americans’, Du Bois was considered the inspiration for the literary movement known as the Harlem Renaissance” (Reuben). Known as the "Talented Tenth", in his essay he mentions the Negro race, like all races, being saved by its exceptional men. Du Bois believed that if a small group of black persons attained college educations they would be leaders of the race and encourage the rest to do the same and reach a higher level of education. As a co-founder of the NAACP and the long-time editor of its magazine The Crisis, Du Bois nurtured and promoted many young and talented African-Americans (Reuben). Underlying his controversial notion of "the talented tenth," was his belief that true integration will happen when selected blacks excel in the literature and the fine arts. Du Bois stated, "If this be true—and who can deny it—three tasks lay before me, first to show from the past that the Talented Tenth as they have risen among American Negroes have been worthy of leadership, secondly, to show how these men may be educated and developed, and thirdly, to show their relation to the Negro problem" (Chesnutt et al. 34).