Achieving African American Equality Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois were two of the most influential advocates for African American equality during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries (Blatty, 1). Although both men ultimately had the same goal, their methods for achieving African American equality were remarkably different. To begin, the men had conflicting ideas about what constituted as African American equality. Booker T. Washington argued that the accumulation of wealth and the ability to prove that Blacks were productive members of society would be the mark of true equality for African Americans (Painter, 155). Because of this, Washington was less concerned about political rights and more on promoting the policy of accommodation. In other words, Washington felt that equality could be achieved by appealing to the white Southerner. Washington urged Blacks to accept segregation for the time being and focus on proving their equality through financial independence (Painter, 155). On the contrary, W.E.B Du Bois sharply disagreed with the idea of accommodation. Du Bois believed that passively accepting segregation would only enforce the notion that African Americans were inferior citizens (Blatty, 1). Instead, Du Bois called for direct action that would result in a demand for equal political rights, such as voting. Du …show more content…
As mentioned earlier, Du Bois most prominently stressed education as a means to earn political power. Du Bois argued that political power could be accumulated through social change facilitated by the Talented Tenth (Painter, 155). In other words, Du Bois thought it was important for the most educated African Americans to lead the masses of the African American race out of oppression. Thus, W.E.B Du Bois stressed the importance of education and political action above all
DuBois fought for black rights. Now , Booker T. Washington thought that economic rights was a great way to get blacks in the system. He said he’d rather give up voting and political rights, for economic rights. Therefore he believed that African Americans should accept discrimination and racism. He wanted blacks to become part of the government , so together
Booker T. Washington’s and W.E.B. Du Bois were both extremely important black figures that were a part of the civil rights movements, and aim for equality. Both of them each had their own way of striving for their goals but each were different too. First Off Booker T Washington was born a slave, from an early age he was always told he was lesser than what he could actually be. Once he was given the opurtunity as a free man; he preached about how other blacks should strive for their best, and contribute to society in a way they can. Washington’s advice however wasn’t as fierce as Du Bois’s was because Washington didn’t want to push for higher and equal education, unlike Du Bois which was was one of his main focuses.
After securing employment and attain financial independence, they should seek political position to achieve political equality. According to what he summarized as Atlanta Compromise, political justice can only be obtained by gaining economic equality. On the other hand, W.E.B Du Bois believed that the African-Americans should gain both political
Du Bois openly criticized this way of thinking when he stated “I insist that the object of all true education is not to make men carpenters it is to make carpenters men”. Washington preached a philosophy of self-help he believed that through the system African Americans could gain true equality. He urged African Americans to accept discrimination and focus on elevating through hard work to obtain advancement in America. Washington's approach is seen as a non-confrontational one,which is a direct difference to the approach of Du Bois’. Due to Washington's conciliatory approach to the advancement of African Americans in America shows how Washington and Du Bois differed
Washington was a surely understood dark teacher. He was a dark American, naturally introduced to subjugation, who trusted that prejudice would end once blacks procured helpful work aptitudes and demonstrated their financial quality to society, was leader of the Tuskegee Institute in 1881. He encouraged mechanical instruction for African-Americans so that they would pick up appreciation from the whites. Washington regularly disregarded separation. He was anxious about the possibility that that blacks that requested equivalent rights would make malevolence in the middle of themselves and white Americans.
The Roads to Equality Imagine a society where everyone is seen as equal; no matter race, gender orientation, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. How did you get there? What did the previous generations have to go through to reach complete equality? Why was this so important to them? Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois were two people who lived during the late 1800s and early-mid 1900s and who advocated for equality.
Many African Americans looked for black leaders for guidance on how to better their lives. He advised African Americans to work hard at being farmers, trades people, and worker in the industry. This approach, sometimes called “accommodationist” because it accommodated, or fit in with, wishes of many whites, won Washington the admiration and support of Southern whites. In front of an all- white audience, Washington declared his
Booker T. Washington once said, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.” W.E.B. Du Bois quoted, “The worker must work for the glory of his handiwork.” These are two quotes from two great leaders of the African American community in the late 19th and 20th Century. Although they were great leaders, they both had their own outlook on strategies regarding social and economic progress in the African American community.
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois both had a huge influence on African American society, both helped contribute to the cause of African American social equality, and even influenced other African American writers and their works. First of all, Booker T. Washington had a very interesting view of social equality.
Thesis statement: The two great leaders in the black community debating about the issues that face the Negro race and Du Bois gave a compelling argument by using pathos, logos and ethos to create an essay that will appear to all readers. Outline: This essay will showcase the contradicting philosophies between W.E.B Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. Also, paying close attention to the different types of leadership between the two historic leaders in the black community. Both W.E.B Du Bois and Booker T. Washington contributed to and helped shape the future of African Americans.
Washington was a slave himself, but later down the line the “Atlanta Exposition Address” seemed to hinder some blacks, but W.E.B Dubois took a different route. “That sky was bluest when I could beat my mates at examination-time, or beat them at a foot-race, or even beat their stringy heads.” (Souls of black folk, 922). W.E.B Dubois was determined on passing his classmates and reaching a higher education. W.E.B. Dubois knew that if the blacks followed the rules of Booker T. Washington, they would not be able to advance in society like today.
However Booker T. Washington believed in having a more skillful education, consisting of learning how to trade, mastering agriculture skills and more things one would need to get a job. However, W.E.B DuBois also put many efforts to achieve equal rights towards African Americans which Booker T Washington put on hold. Booker T Washington’s plan was to make it so that “Blacks would [have to] accept segregation and discrimination but their eventual acquisition of wealth and culture would gradually win for them the respect and acceptance of whites”. This vision that Booker T Washington had “practically accepts the alleged inferiority of the Negro race”. W.E.B commented on this process saying it was an attempt, “to educate black boys and girls simply as servants and underlings.”
Du Bois believes that Washington exhibits an old attitude of submission. Whereas Washington sees starting from the bottom as necessary and beneficial Du Bois sees it as submissive and harmful towards the progression of equality. Both Du Bois and Washington believed that their viewpoint was going to lead to more equal treatment and overall improved quality of life for African Americans. Both Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois had ideas on how to improve African American lives, Washington believed in starting at the bottom and working up whereas Du Bois had an opposing viewpoint he saw starting from the bottom as submissive and believed African Americans should hold important jobs in
During the late 19th and 20th century, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois were leaders of the black community. They had different methods of dealing with black civil rights. Booker T. Washington is not as passionate about civil rights as W.E.B DuBois. Booker T. Washington believes that there is no point in fighting for civil rights. He thinks that we should just worry about ourselves while W.E.B DuBois believes that it is worth it to fight for civil rights.
Booker T. Washington has long been recognized as a pioneer and a leader in the fields of civil rights, African-American literature, education, and politics. Long remembered for his speeches, his book Up from Slavery, and his bootstrap concept. Booker T. Washington contributed to the cause of civil rights and social equality in manner formats and discourses. Booker T. Washington’s life story also helps explain and translate the African-American experience in America, at both a specific historical moment, and in the context of American history in general. Washington’s text Up from Slavery is an autobiographical account of his life, and acts as a literary and historical argument in favor of equality and civil rights.