Why Is W. E. B Dubois Relevant 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

Why was W.E.B Dubois important to society? William Edward Burghart Dubois, or simply known as W.E.B Dubois was a significant figure to American society during the early 1900s because he made African Americans feel empowered. Dubois was a member of a group called the NAACP (The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).According to the website,American History Online it states that his first organization, The Niagara Movement disbanded due to financial reasons after a riot from white supremacists since the former was protesting .Two

In 2010, the U.S. Sentencing Commission reported that African Americans received ten percent longer sentences than whites for committing the same crimes. W.E.B. Dubois, a heavy influencer in the NAACP, wrote many books describing the inequality felt by African Americans in everyday life. Thirty years later, when Harper Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird it showed that discrimination in the United States had stayed the same. W.E.B. Dubois’ union with the NAACP and his socialist views on government during the 1900's are relevant to the setting of To Kill a Mockingbird and the extended fight against racial discrimination leading up to the March on Washington in the 1960's.

Dawning the year of 1895, the future of Black America finally rested in the hands of the very people to whom it concerned, the black community. Two popular philosophies were presented, and the argument between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois began. These two advocated for very different means of acquiring equality, Washington promotes the economic survival of the masses while Dubois promoted the superior intelligence of the few. The struggle between representing the masses and isolating the few proved to be the deciding factor when determining which philosophy was capable of supporting the desired future of Black America. A future where the economic foundation of the masses proved to be the key to promoting equality among white and black America.

This riot lasted for three days, many African Americans were beaten, stabbed, kicked, stoned, hanged, or shot while trying to leave their burning homes. The police did nothing to help but spectate.

DuBois uses clear and logical ideas when listing his simple list of demands about the rights African-Americans should receive. He lists his points in a list of semi-detailed paragraphs which aids him in also establishing credibility, and in turn creating an authoritative persona. For example, he declares, “We want discrimination in public accommodation in public to cease,” he then gives himself credibility by explaining, “seperation in railway and street cars, based simply on race and color, is un-American, un-democratic, and silly” (DuBois 2). Again, DuBois refers back to the principles America’s founding fathers proclaimed when writing the Constitution; all men are created equal. This makes the white folk realize that in order to be “true Americans” they must follow the Constitution and give all

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

For decades there has been a great deal of controversy over the importance of African American citizens. The Souls of Black Folks, by W.E.B. DuBois, and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement both have multiple similarities that deserve to be thoroughly examined. Although DuBois’ work and the modern day movement occurred decades apart, some common similarities include: the realization in the black souls that they are seen differently, the lack of fairness towards black people, and the great divide between black and white citizens.

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

W.E.B Dubois is a better philosopher than Booker T about the advancement of rights for African Americans after the civil war. Dubois is the best because he started the NAACP, argued about social change with the “Talented Tenth”, and wanted equality for blacks did not accept segregation.

What would it be like to be looked down on everywhere you went. Or to not be able to go some places or do some things because of the color of your skin. That’s what African Americans had to go through everyday. Can you imagine? The littlest things in your daily lives had restrictions because of the color of your skin, it’s not right or just. Booker T Washington and W.E.B. DuBois were both men who essentially wanted the same thing. They both wanted equality for black and whites. Booker T. Washington was a little different in comparison to W.E.B. Washington was born a slave. He was born on a small farm in western Virginia. He had a completely different lifestyle than DuBois. W.E.B DuBois was the first African American to earn their Ph. D. He even got it from Harvard! Since they are coming from 2 different worlds it makes their approaches to ending racism very different. It’s not a bad thing, they just have 2 different thoughts about ending racism. They were both strong men who had strong beliefs about racism during the 1900’s and tried to do something about it. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois both wanted the same thing but went about getting that thing very differently.

W. E. B. Dubois and Booker T. Washington were well known civil rights activists who had practical ideologies for the progress of African Americans. Both Dubois and Washington made many important points to support their philosophy. Both men’s concepts provided great support, though they shared different beliefs. Washington believed that blacks should focus on education and economic progress than ending segregation, discrimination and getting voting rights; on the other hand, Dubois thought that discrimination was unacceptable and did not agree on blacks losing their rights in spite of their differences, they both were well educated men who wanted change in the black community.

One of the late 19th century and early 20th century’s most prominent black empowerment leaders was W.E.B DuBois. In research it is clear that DuBois was not subtle to one job or career choice. His main goal was to improve the lives of African Americans. As a Civil Rights activist, sociologist, educator, historian, writer, editor, poet, and scholar, DuBois contributed to changing American society today.

We live in a country that has a pledge of allegiance that says “freedom for all” however black communities have not received their freedom. Freedom is defined as the power and right to act, speak, or think as one wants without any restraint. African Americans have not been allowed to enjoy any of these luxuries even after the end of slavery. African Americans had to face a variety of issues such as segregation, mass incarceration and poverty. These challenges continue to oppress African Americans, therefore, they still have to struggle to obtain freedom. Freedom in which they feel accepted anywhere and are exposed to the same opportunities and support as any other race. With leaders like, Reverend T. J. Jemison and W. E. B. DuBois, African Americans have been reminded and encouraged to keep striving through their life filled with struggles because they

African Americans during the 1900s lived lives full of uncertainty. They were no longer slaves, but still looked upon by many as inferior to the white race. However in this period of tension, there were men who sought to bring their race to new heights. One of these men was W.E.B Du Bois. Few have influenced the lives of African Americans in such a way as W.E.B Du Bois. The vision he had for African Americans was one that many found great hope in. He sought for the day that his race for finally have civil equality in every aspect of life.