Imagine growing up in the early; late twentieth century, facing rural living, poor education, and unequal rights. While living in the twentieth century, rural areas contained three fourth quarters of African Americans were there they worked as farmers. While living in these poor conditions, most African Americans children did not have the proper education to even be considered literate. African Americans for years faced unequal rights, in the school systems, work force and everyday life. The Historical factors that shaped WEB Dubois quest for Liberal Arts education and Booker T. Washington 's acceptance of technical training. W.E.B Dubois and Booker T. Washington contradictory views with one objective and problem for African Americans were …show more content…
Dubois influenced African Americans to set a goal to reach a liberal arts education. Dubois believed that African Americans only earned their rights through education, not through the social sciences. The education of African Americans served purposes to the bettering of the African race and to lessen the knowledge about African Americans in the white race. Through education, Dubois wanted to eliminate ignorance about African American people and educate the world about the contributions to society that African American people could potentially make. It was these reasons stated above, that were expressed into social factors and other reasons which led Dubois to becoming one of the leading activists and revolutionary thinkers of his time, in particular in the area of contradicting politics and academic research.
Booker T Washington was born a slave in the late 1800s in the southern part of Virginia, where those experiences shaped and affected Washington as the individual he became and later on a national leader in the African American community. Washington was a less privileged man who worked his way through college at Hampton Institute in order to pay for his tuition, room and board. He graduated from Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in 1872 and would afterwards spend the rest of his life in the South, attempting to lead his people effectively as an educator and social politician. During his career as a teacher and political
When it all comes down to it, one of the greatest intellectual battles U.S. history was the legendary disagreement between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. This intellectual debate sparked the interest of the Northerners as well as the racist whites that occupied the south. This debate was simply about how the blacks, who just gained freedom from slavery, should exist in America with the white majority. Even though Washington and DuBois stood on opposite sides of the fence they both agreed on one thing, that it was a time for a change in the treatment of African Americans. I chose his topic to write about because I strongly agree with both of the men’s ideas but there is some things about their views that I don’t agree with. Their
In conclusion, the debate between W.E.B Dubois and Washington was nothing short of remarkable and genius. Although both men had two separate ways about doing things they both shared the same common goal, which was bettering the lives of African Americans. In my opinion, W.E.B Dubois plan to go strongly for African American rights and equality was the better strategy. Not only did he help bring us together but he gave blacks a sense of self confidence that they didn’t possess before. For once blacks believed not only can you be as good as the white man but better. While some may agree that Mr. Washington’s plan to endure the second citizenship title was only degrading and keeping the black man down. Although Washington had honorable goals Dubois gave the people a strong sense of empowerment and worthiness that has helped the black race grows into what it is today.
When it all comes down to it, one of the greatest intellectual battles U.S. history was the legendary disagreement between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. This intellectual debate sparked the interest of the Northerners as well as the racist whites that occupied the south. This debate was simply about how the blacks, who just gained freedom from slavery, should exist in America with the white majority. Even though Washington and DuBois stood on opposite sides of the fence they both agreed on one thing, that it was a time for a change in the treatment of African Americans. I chose his topic to write about because I strongly agree with both of the men’s ideas but there is some things about their views that I don’t agree with. Their
Booker T. Washington was born in around 1950s in Franklin County of Virginia and spent the better part of his childhood as a slave. Following the emancipation, majority of the black community including Washington ware convinced that obtaining a formalized education was the best approach to improve their lifestyles and social class. The Blacks had a fairly limited opportunity to access education due to the prevalence of social segregation.
W.E.B. Dubois was the rivaling civil rights leader during the early 20th century. W.E.B. Dubois believed that through political action and education, full-citizenship of African Americans in America would be achieved. At first, he agreed with Booker T. Washington’s teachings, however through time Dubois realized flaws within Washington’s ideas. Dubois, in “Soul of Black Folk” writes, “The black men of America have a duty to perform, a duty stern and delicate, -- a forward movement to oppose a part of the work of their greatest leader. So far as Mr. Washington peaches
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
One of the primary differences between DuBois and Washington was in the ways they believed equality would be achieved. DuBois believed that political change was the first step in achieving equality. If the black populous worked on economy only then they would perpetuate the stereotypes that white people place upon them. By accepting racist and prejudicial viewpoints, the African American communities were affirming their inferiority to the white majority. Only through political equality, for example the right to vote, could men enact any real or meaningful social and
DuBois stresses the importance of education amongst the black race. He believes that African Americans should be educated in order to guide and
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
Dr. W. E. B. DuBois was known as an African American hero who truly believed that a person's vocational calling should be dictated by ability and choice, not by race. DuBois, unlike Booker T. Washington, not only demanded an immediate change but also drastic change, and was not afraid to challenge both blacks and whites on social and educational issues to accomplish change because he knew at that point, something needed to happen now. His strong activism and courage set the stage for future changes in the African American and White American race relations.
Dubois writings, unlike Washington’s writings survived aging and sounds modern. Both Dubois and Washington, however, wanted the best for their people, both were sincerely engaged in racial uplift, and therefore in the end neither was “right” or “wrong.” Indeed, Washington’s ideas fitted the era that he lived in and Dubois ideas the future.
It was during these educational years that DuBois further solidified his belief that education was the remedy for his people. DuBois felt "the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color-line, --the relation of the darker to the lighter races of men in Asia and Africa, in America and the islands of the seas" (qtd. in Weinberg, 81). DuBois main theory was
Booker T. Washington was born into slavery on James Burrough’s Virginia Plantation in 1856. When he was 9 he was gathered with the other slaves and was told he could go freely due to the Emancipation Proclamation. After he was
Everyone has a contribution in this world to make, even African Americans. DuBois continually stressed this to his fellow black community in his book The Souls of Black Folk. What they learn in schools will help the students determine what they will do further in life. If they choose to be the “talented ten” and choose academics, the black world will need them. African Americans need other African Americans to fill all occupations that a white man would. “Who
Two of the most influential people in shaping the social and political agenda of African Americans were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois, both early twentieth century writers. While many of their goals were the same, the two men approached the problems facing African Americans in very different ways. This page is designed to show how these two distinct thinkers and writers shaped one movement, as well as political debate for years afterward.