Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois were two of the most prominent, well-known African-American figures in the early twentieth century.They had a common goal: they wanted to improve the lives of African-Americans. However, Washington and Dubois employed vastly different methods in the pursuit of that goal, and their ideas varied somewhat on what that goal would look like when realized. Washington’s approach was one of subtle, non-confrontational cultural change, with a focus on creating an independent black culture. Dubois took a more head-on approach, demanding that the civil rights of African-Americans be recognized. The characters of Walter Lee and Beneatha from “A Raisin in the Sun” illustrate and reflect Washington’s and Dubois’s methods …show more content…
In his autobiography, Up From Slavery, Washington talks about the ways that slavery hurt not only the slave, but also the slavemaster. He talks about the relationship of familiarity that existed between the slaves on the plantation and their masters. In all his writing, he uses unifying language that shows empathy to both sides and seeks to come to a peaceful agreement between the two. For example, in his “Atlanta Compromise” speech, Washington tells African Americans that a good way to begin to be accepted into society is, “making friends with the Southern white man, who is your next-door neighbor,” Washington valued economic welfare for blacks first and foremost; and he viewed achieving it as the best way to achieve equality. In his speech he told people to, “Cast it down in agriculture, mechanics, in commerce, in domestic service… No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.,” He told his fellow black men that working a low-class job should not be scorned or frowned upon, but viewed as a starting place from which to grow. His approach was never filled with the righteous indignation that characterized other civil rights figures, such as Dubois himself. He sought to make honest …show more content…
Dubois had a much different approach to achieving equality. He wanted to achieve civil liberties and fighting social injustice. He was more focused on changing laws than hearts and minds. He was rightly filled with a sense of righteous indignation over segregation and the other injustices he saw towards black Americans. He wanted change and he wanted it now. He, and others like him, criticized the methodical, patient, non confrontational approach of people like Washington. People like W.E.B. Dubois sought acknowledgement and enforcement of equal civil rights for African-Americans. He believed that African Americans should pursue, “ ...first, political power; second, insistence on civil rights; third, higher education of Negro youth…” The character of Beneatha Younger, Walter Lee’s younger sister, demonstrates this attitude in action. Beneatha, in a way, wants the American Dream just like Walter does. But for her, it's not about economic security. Instead, it's about respect, acknowledgment, and equal social standing, just like Dubois. For her, the idea of becoming a doctor sounds attractive because it can prove her own intelligence and worth. She wants to be important, and to make a big difference in the world. She is stubborn, and loves to contradict expectations. She could never stand for any slight or injustice or even rudeness committed against her or her family, or her race. She is proud of her heritage and identity, and is not quiet about it. As she tells
Both Washington and DuBois wanted the same thing for blacks—first-class citizenship—but their methods for obtaining it differed. Because of the interest in immediate goals contained in Washington’s economic approach, Whites did not realize that he anticipated the complete acceptance and integration of Negroes into American life. He believed blacks, starting with so little, would have to begin at the bottom and work up gradually to achieve positions of power and responsibility before they could demand equal citizenship—even if it meant temporarily assuming a position of inferiority. DuBois understood Washington’s program, but believed that it was not the solution to the “race problem.” Blacks should study the liberal arts, and have the same rights as white citizens.
W.E.B. DuBois was an educator, writer, scholar, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, and later in his life a communist, whose life goal was to gain equal rights for all African Americans around the world. DuBois’ writings were mostly forgotten till the late 1960s, because of his involvement in communism and his absence during the civil rights movement in America. Even though his writings were temporarily forgotten because of his tarnished reputation, his legacy has since been restored allowing for his writings to be reprinted becoming a major influence for both academics and activists. DuBois’ accomplishments include his part in the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and his support for the civil rights movement advocating for equal social and economic rights for all African Americans. His accomplishments and efforts in order to gain equal treatment for African Americans outweigh his shortcomings and failures.
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 ideas and views are the things that will be addressed in this essay.
submissive. The snare of the snare. Washington wanted blacks to try and get along with society. trying to fit in. He was encouraging blacks to become educated in the the "white man's world".
In his autobiography, “Up From Slavery” Washington describes his life as a slave and rising above poverty and oppression. His reason for this autobiography was to tell the world that he too suffered abuse, oppression, poverty and belittlement. He shows that he was able to sacrifice and suffer to get to where he accelerated to be a prominent educator. His purpose of this book was to educate others of his own race.
Comparing W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington. W. E. B. -. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington had very different views about their culture and country. Du Bois, born in the North and studying in Europe, was fascinated with the idea of Socialism and Communism. Booker T. Washington, on the other hand, was born in the South, and like so many others, had a Black mother and a White father.
Booker T. Washington was an African American leader who established an African-American college in 1181. Then in 1895 delivered the Atlanta Compromise Speech to an audience of mainly Southerners, but some Northerners were present. In his speech he made a few points. He said, “No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.” Washington believed that the African American race needed to learn first that manual labor was just as important as the work of intellects. He thought that until they learned this they were not worthy of becoming intellects themselves. The color line is thus important in teaching them this lesson. He also said, “It is important and right that all privileges of the law be ours, but it is vastly more important that we be prepared for the exercise of these privileges.” His opinion was that one day blacks would deserve to have equal rights with the whites, but right now in 1895 the blacks needed to be...
When Booker T. Washington speeches the Atlanta Compromise, it is still a big step to talk about equality and social problems of the white and black races, even though it is after the Civil War. However, it is necessary to agitate to reach complete liberty and social change ultimately, which address Washington to have an oblique approach to express the purpose of the speech. He announces his intention of the black race, simultaneously, he wants to make the Southern white men feel relief and relaxed about talking about it. It supports the reason he speaks meek and polite all the time, not to offend the white audience. He insists that the importance of having a business is greater than getting a social equal for African-Americans, which makes
In his speech, Washington addresses both whites and blacks. “I would say cast down your bucket where you are, cast it down in making friends in every manly way of the people of all races by whom we are surrounded.” (Washington, Atlanta Compromise, pg.2). This quote is a good indicator of Washington’s ideology on black progression in American society. Essentially, the quote is addressing African-Americans to try and make the best of their situation because their situation is much better than what it would have been thirty to forty years prior. Throughout the speech, Washington maintains this tone of “compromise”. “It is at the bottom of life we must begin and not the top. Nor should we permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities.” (Washington, Atlanta Compromise, pg.2). Washington argues for this workman-like approach from African-Americans throughout the speech and this quote embodies that. Washington comes from a background of slavery and makes reference to this in his speech as well. Even though the system at the time was still largely geared against African-Americans, Washington advocates for blacks to work with what they have and be grateful for opportunities
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois are two incredibly famous civil rights activists in United States history. Although they both sought to uplift blacks socially and economically across the country, they clashed over the best strategy for doing so. Coming from vastly different backgrounds, it’s understandable as to why they disagreed. However, as is evident by our current societal problems, Du Bois was the one who had the correct plan. That doesn’t mean that Washington’s ideas were wrong, but they were a temporary solution to a permanent and systematic problem.
“As I remember it now, the thing that was uppermost in my mind was the desire to say something that would cement the friendship of the races and bring about hearty cooperation between them” (Washington, p. 594). Washington desired to promote mutual respect among the races, and the need to work together. Washington felt this would eventually lead to Negro acceptance as citizens. He did not believe in focusing on equality alone. Washington had the faith that eventually equality would come, but that it was more important for Negro’s to first concentrate on learning job skills, and working independently. Washington believes that prosperity will come by working together in agriculture, mechanics, commerce, domestic services, and production. “No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem. It is at the bottom of life we must begin, and not at the top” (Washington, p. 595). Washington is saying that it is not necessary to have an academic education to have an important place in society. Washington felt African Americans should focus on job training and personal advancement instead of gaining political power. He felt learning a trade job would give them financial security and allow the black man to gain the respect of white
“It should come as no surprise that Washington’s historical conflict culminated as a struggle between him and DuBois” (Gibson III 66). To say the least, both men were very active in the upbringing of African-Americans, but their differences in displaying out the solution was what brought them apart. Washington wanted the education system to enforce industrial teachings that started at lower economic power, while DuBois had more abstract ideas of equality and voting for African-Americans. Washington was conservative in the matter of African-American inclusion into society, hoping that given enough time and progress, people would learn to accept them, rather than fight for social power like what DuBois stood for. Despite Washington’s program that appealed to White-Americans, he was involved in politics and spoke about the disfranchisement of African-Americans.
Of the many truly inspirational speeches given by African Americans, Booker T. Washington’s The Atlanta Exposition Address is one of the few that intends to achieve compromise. In his speech, Washington is trying to persuade an audience composed significantly of white men to support African Americans by granting them jobs and presenting them with opportunities. His goal is to convince his white audience that African Americans will be supplied with jobs lower than those of white men, allowing white men always to be on top. Booker T. Washington’s The Atlanta Exposition Address adopts a tone of acquiescence and compromise to persuade a predominantly white audience to accept his terms.
Washington 's programme naturally takes an economic cast” (Du Bois). Du Bois believed that Washington’s theory was a gospel of Work and Money that ultimately overshadowed the higher aims of life” Later he makes another statement so powerful that should have made all African Americans want to stand up and fight for a better social status and rights for both the South and North. He goes on stating “The growing spirit of kindliness and reconciliation between the North and South after the frightful differences of a generation ago ought to be a source of deep congratulation to all, and especially to those whose mistreatment caused the war; but if that reconciliation is to be marked by the industrial slavery and civic death of those same black men, with permanent legislation into a position of inferiority, then those black men, if they are really men, are called upon by every consideration of patriotism and loyalty to oppose such a course by all civilized methods, even though such opposition involves disagreement with Mr. Booker T. Washington.” (Du
Booker T. Washington was a young black male born into the shackles of Southern slavery. With the Union victory in the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, Washington’s family and blacks in the United States found hope in a new opportunity, freedom. Washington saw this freedom as an opportunity to pursue a practical education. Through perseverance and good fortunes, Washington was able to attain that education at Hampton National Institute. At Hampton, his experiences and beliefs in industrial education contributed to his successful foundation at the Tuskegee Institute. The institute went on to become the beacon of light for African American education in the South. Booker T. Washington was an influential voice in the African American community following the Civil War. In his autobiography, Up from Slavery, Washington outlines his personal accounts of his life, achievements, and struggles. In the autobiography, Washington fails to address the struggle of blacks during Reconstruction to escape the southern stigma of African Americans only being useful for labor. However, Washington argues that blacks should attain an industrial education that enables them to find employment through meeting the economic needs of the South, obtaining moral character and intelligence, and embracing practical labor. His arguments are supported through his personal accounts as a student at Hampton Institute and as an administrator at the Tuskegee Institute. Washington’s autobiography is a great source of insight into the black education debate following Reconstruction.