Signs Of Progress Among The Negroes Book Report

Two black leaders emerged in the tumultuous years following the Civil War - one from the North and one from the South. Both wanted equal rights for blacks but they did not agree on how to attain these changes in American society. These men were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. They had similarities but also differences in their upbringing, education, and ideas for a path forward for black Americans at the time.

African -American history predated the emergence of the United States as an independent country, and African – American literature was similarly in deep roots. Jupiter Hammon who was considered as the first published Black writer in America, he published his first poem named, “An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ with Penitential Cries”in 1761. Through his poem, he implemented the idea of a gradual emancipation as a way to end slavery. His idea was later reprinted in some works such as Le Mulatre a short story published in 1837 by Victor Sejour

In Chapter 1 and 2 of “Creating Black Americans,” author Nell Irvin Painter addresses an imperative issue in which African history and the lives of Africans are often dismissed (2) and continue to be perceived in a negative light (1). This book gives the author the chance to revive the history of Africa, being this a sacred place to provide readers with a “history of their own.” (Painter 4)

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.

Booker T. Washington was a man with highs standards a great work ethic and he was one of the most respected African Americans of his time. Born to a slave on a plantation in Hale’s Ford, Virginia, Booker T. knew from a young age the importance of a good education. Booker T is mostly known for his part in founding the Tuskegee Institute in 1881 along with George Washington Carver and Lewis Adams. Booker T. Washington was undoubtedly one of the most respected African Americans of his time. His values and beliefs established an imperative relationship with spiritual and political leaders of his time.

The early 1900’s was the era of progressivism, during which socioeconomic equity was paramount concern. African American took part in the era with the objective to establish first class citizenship. In this brought upon polarized views on the most effective methods for invoking change. The first well known black leader Booker T. Washington reintroduced the idea of traditional gradualism...Washington came in conflict with Du Bois an opposing leader who viewed change as rapid and continuous. Jefferson went on to deliver the “Atlanta Compromise” a representation of his perspective on generating change. Du bois immediately publicly announced his opposition of the “Atlanta Compromise” .Thus bringing tension and enabling a visualized depiction

What if you were a slave on a farm and grew up to be one of the most Intelligent and most Outstanding person there was in the time of the 1800’s? Or what If you were a born genius on there way to get a scholarship to Harvard university and getting a job as a philosopher, professor, Editor, Journalist, and a historian. Booker T Washington and W.E.B Dubois both agreed that there should be African American rights in the US. Although they had different opinions on how to get those rights for African Americans.

In the mid-to-late 1800s the African American community faced opposition and segregation. They were segregated from the whites and treated as second-class citizens. This segregation was caused in part by Jim Crow laws. Jim Crow laws separated races in schools, hospitals, parks, public buildings, and transportation systems. 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 order to demand equal treatment.

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.

The Atlanta Exposition Address by Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), written as a strategy in order to combat racial tensions in the South. Washington was born into slavery, where he worked on a Virginia plantation until emancipation in 1865. He then moved to Virginia with his mother, and taught himself how to read and write. After many years of saving he enrolled in the Hampton Institute (later called Hampton University) in 1875 and Wayland Seminary from 1878-1879. He would later become a teacher at Hampton, and after recommendation from Hampton’s president, he was selected to lead Tuskegee University. He served as principal and founder at the newly built normal school that trained blacks to become teachers and agricultural industrial workers.

The excerpt I chose to reflect on is called “An End to the Neglect of the Problems of the Negro Woman!” by Claudia Jones (1949). Jones express the concerns that women of color in her time suffer from the neglect and degradation they receive throughout their lives. During this time, the reason many African American women go through the struggles in their community originated from the notion that the “bourgeoisie is fearful of the militancy of the Negro woman” (108). In my opinion, they have every right to be afraid of African American women. As Jones stated nicely "once Negro women undertake action, the militancy of the whole Negro people, and thus of the anti-imperialist coalition, is greatly enhanced" (108). All Jones was trying to say is that if women were given the opportunity take action to change their current situation there will be no stopping them from

Booker T Washington was an Civil rights activist, educator, author, orator, and advisor for many presidents. Washington was the most influential African American male in the late 19 century and early 20th. Booker Taliaferro Washington was born on April 5, 1856 in Franklin County, Virginia. He was raised by his mother, Jane, who was a slave ; his father, was an unidentified white male. In most states prior to the Civil War, the child of a slave became a slave, it was also illegal to teach slaves to read and write. Majority of washington’s childhood was spent working. After the Civil war,washington's family moved to Malden, West Virginia. His mother saw his passion for education and bought him a book, where he taught himself how to read and

Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator and one of the most influential African Americans during the late 1800s and early 1900s. He had widespread support among northern whites and many blacks, due to his accomplishments. Washington’s most well-known success was the Tuskegee Institute, which started as Normal School for Colored Teachers. Later, the school would change to provide education for all emancipated slaves to learn the knowledge of different trades. Washington was the first principal and remained there until he died. Making sure the school remained all black, Washington wanted to “develop Black leadership to the maximum extent”. While many believed that Washington was providing good deeds for the blacks and helping them

It was rough for African Americans in the 1890’s, and though they tried to live a normal easy life they always had obstacles that got in the way. They had thought everything was going good for them with the 13th and 14th amendment being announced. Also The Emancipation Proclamation which stated, on January 1, 1863, "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free" was a speech that actually came out before the 13th and 14th amendment which was the whole reason why those amendments had came out. The 13th amendment stated that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction”. This was such a big deal since

Booker T. Washington is by far one of the brightest and strongest minds from his time. During his Atlanta Exposition address he displays his intellect masterfully. From Mr. Washington’s use of language he was able to seamlessly piece together a speech that we still analyse to this day. Mr. Washington use of rhetoric explains and enlightens the circumstances of freed African Americans trying to fit into communities in the south. From mistreatment and racism still present in the newly freed people.