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Brian Scott American Political Thought April 14, 2016 Booker T. Washington’s Political Stance for Social Separation and Economic Acceptance Booker T. Washington believed in political and social economic acceptance of passive and self-improvement rather than demanding the rights that were given to white male counterparts. This examination of the how Booker T. Washington’s political and social acceptance changed not only the landscape of African American history while setting a mentality that continues even in the twenty-first century. The ideal agreement would be Southern blacks would work under white political rule, while Southern whites guaranteed that blacks would receive basic tutelage and due process of the law. Dr. Washington believed …show more content…
Washington’s political stance on social and economic stance was a positive, for it showcased the fact that the African American race is capable of high work ethic. Dr. Washington presented the loyalty and the humility of the African American people showing that they will work if given the opportunity. The ability to work is what the South needed during the post-Civil War reconstruction era. Dr. Washington sought to take advantage of on these matters by proposing Southern black employment as a substitute. Tuskegee Institute was created for the training of workers in the fields of Agriculture and labor intense training. His stance did provoke the need to grant the opportunity of employment to eight million African Americans rather than giving the jobs to the immigrants coming into America while understanding socially the races had to be separate for the time. Does this mean that Dr. Washington believe blacks were inferior to whites? By no means, Dr. Washington would understand that segregation and racism was anything, but was also nothing short of ignorance. He did not endorse laws that permitted the idea of racism or that allowed poor white men to vote, while preventing a black man in the same state from the same expected …show more content…
Washington’s stance for social separation and economic acceptance with certain restraints. It is easier to ease into change rather than directly change completely. I would have pushed more for social acceptance with less inferior stance for African Americans and also feel that one must start from the bottom and like yeast when making bread, rise to the top. In closing Dr. Booker T. Washington’s stance was made with best intention to advance the African American race. He continued to advance the race by his actions, his university, and his mentorship until his death. For that I say thank you Mr. Booker Taliaferro
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.
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...
He seemed to have “supported segregation and the disenfranchisement of Blacks,” despite being “involved in politics” while speaking on the “prevention of disenfranchisement” (Seaton 55). Washington did what he believed was best for the helpless Americans, but in doing so, the perception he gave to them and DuBois was that “the white stereotype holds over Blacks and how they are positioned to be aware of it” (Seaton 55). In “The Souls of Black Folk,” DuBois even states about the “distinct status of civil inferiority for the Negro” under Washington’s policy (DuBois 1331). In Washington’s Atlanta speech, his motive was “to show whites that Blacks were making incremental progress and to ease the tension that was building all throughout the country” (Seaton 55). It can be said that Washington was publicly working under the ideology of white-supremacists, compensating them instead of the Black community. On the other hand, DuBois wanted to “integrate the African-American people into the modern affairs of America and allow for them to forge lives and gain inclusion into American society” (Seaton 56). He wanted to include minorities in the “American social body,” whereas Washington didn’t strongly oppose segregation, but only wanted to ease tensions with white-supremacists (Seaton
When talking about the history of African-Americans at the turn of the twentieth century, two notable names cannot be left out; Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois. They were both African-American leaders in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, fighting for social justice, education and civil rights for slaves, and both stressed education. This was a time when blacks were segregated and discriminated against. Both these men had a vision to free blacks from this oppression. While they came from different backgrounds, Washington coming from a plantation in Virginia where he was a slave, and Du Bois coming from a free home in Massachusetts, they both experienced the heavy oppression blacks were under in this Post-Civil War society. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois were both pioneers in striving to obtain equality for blacks, yet their ways of achieving this equality were completely different. W.E.B Du Bois is the more celebrated figure today since he had the better method because it didn’t give the whites any power, and his method was intended to achieve a more noble goal than Washington’s.
Booker T. Washington believed that blacks should not push to attain equal civil and political rights with whites. That it was best to concentrate on improving their economic skills and the quality of their character. The burden of improvement resting squarely on the shoulders of the black man. Eventually they would earn the respect and love of the white man, and civil and political rights would be accrued as a matter of course. This was a very non-threatening and popular idea with a lot of whites.
...to be equally educated. His speeches not only attracted the black people but also, northern and southern white people. Booker worked hard for all that he achieved during his life time. People all over were followers of Booker T. Washington. One example of how much these followers appreciated Washington is through raising money for a trip to Europe. Not just anyone went to Europe in those days. The trip showed how much the people appreciated Booker’s efforts for civil rights and education of blacks. They sent
In 1903 black leader and intellectual W.E.B. Du Bois wrote an essay in his collection The Souls of Black Folk with the title “Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others.” Both Washington and Du Bois were leaders of the black community in the 19th and 20th century, even though they both wanted to see the same outcome for black Americans, they disagreed on strategies to help achieve black social and economic progress. History shows that W.E.B Du Bois was correct in racial equality would only be achieved through politics and higher education of the African American youth.
Lewis’s viewpoint is not without it’s truths. The Harlem renaissance was overseen by a number of intellectuals such as Booker T. Washington, Marcus Garvey, and W.E.B. Dubois. Booker T. Washington‘s, a highly influential speaker of the age, words appealed to both Caucasians and African-Americans. Washington forged an interracial bridge of communication through his unique tactics in the quest for equality. He believed in more subtle ways of gaining equality through hard work, cunning, and humility. He stated, “The wisest among my race understands that the agitation of questions of social equality is the extremist folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all the privileges that will come to us must be the result of severe and constant struggle rather than of artificial forcing.”(Salley, 15) With this statement, Washington himself denies that this new awakening in equality and arts could be forced,...
During the core of the Civil Rights movement, a man named Booker T. Washington came out and made his speech deemed the “Atlanta Compromise”. Washington’s beliefs were that African Americans should work with Caucasians to make peace using jobs and money. Another man, W.E.B Du Bois, evaluated the “Atlanta Compromise” speech. In his speech called the “Niagara Movement”, Du Bois said African Americans could find peace with Caucasians using laws. The “Atlanta Compromise, made by Booker T. Washington, and the “Niagara Movement”, made by W.E.B Du Bois, have completely different perspectives over the subject of racial discrimination and finding trust between races, meanwhile having the same purpose for protest.
Du Bois, was the competing ideology at the time. Du Bois rose to prominence and became a great African-American leader in his own right around the time Washington was at his peak. Du Bois respected Washington but largely disagreed with his vision of black society and progression. Du Bois was a leader in several radical (at the time) organizations such as the Conference of Negro Problems and the Niagara Movement. (Lecture 9/27). With a background steeped in education, Du Bois also has a significantly different up-bringing than Washington. In part, this may explain some of the differences in their ideologies. In his book, The Souls of Black Folk, Du Bois addresses Washington and his vision directly. Although Du Bois recognizes Washington’s successes and the caution in which Washington has had to employ in the South, Du Bois is still critical of him. “But aside from this, there is among educated and thoughtful colored men in all parts of the land a feeling of deep regret, sorrow, and apprehension at the wide currency and ascendency which some of Mr. Washington’s theories have gained.” (Du Bois, Souls of Black Folk, pg.36). Washington’s Atlanta Compromise received acclaim but the submissive tone and ideology is what Du Bois is critical of. This quote expresses the emotions felt by not just Du Bois but other educated black men and women throughout the country realizing the errors made in the speech. The acclaim the speech received is also an issue here
Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois were two black leaders who clashed in agreements about ends and disagreements over means. Both agreed that the proper goal for African Americans is equal treatment under the law, equal social and civil status, proper education and economic prosperity. However, they sharply differed over the best way to achieve these goals. While Du Bois’ approach of political and social agitation is admiral and in many ways desirable, and while some of his critiques of Washington’s policy of racial accommodation are well taken, Washington’s focus on economics – that is, his focus on improving material conditions rather than political and social equality – is, despite an apparent lack of idealism, better suited for achieving their mutually agreed upon goals. Booker T. Washington sought to influence whites, but sought out the solid programs of economical and educational progress for blacks. Although education was limited Washington believed that if blacks focused on a trade that would keep them in high demand then they would always be employable. In his urging to both southern blacks and whites to “cast down your bucket where you are” He was suggesting that blacks should stop agitating for their rights in order to move forward or get ahead and develop a friendship/relationship with their white neighbors. He believed that in doing so it could open the door of freedom from slavery and that blacks and whites could work together towards a mutual progress.
The readings Booker T. Washington, The “Atlanta Compromise” and “Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others” were both very interesting to me. The “Atlanta Compromise” was the actual speech Booker T. Washington gave to a majority white crowd asking for support for vocational/technical training and education. His focus on the speech was for the Black community to use their skills to earn a living and focus more on that than race relations. He was encouraging the black community to gain financial security and be open to getting the necessary tools to be their own providers.
Booker T. Washington didn’t know many details about his birth; only that he was born on a plantation in Franklin County, Virginia in 1858 or 1859. Although he knew very little about his mother’s relatives, he knew even less about his father. The living conditions of Washington, his mother and siblings were beyond imperfect lacking windows, a suitable door, flooring and a bed. His shoes were wooden, and his clothes were made of a course fiber that severely aggravated his skin. He had very poor eating habits, and his childhood consisted of all work and no play or education.
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.
How to justify the legacy of one of the most looked up to individuals in just a short paragraph is rather difficult. Booker T. Washington was in fact one of the most highly regarded African American speaker and educator. Mr. Washington, achieved what most today would consider daunting or not possible. During his lifetime, Mr. Washington achieved a position of power and became known far and wide for his influences. Of course, having risen up beginning as a child through slavery, into the emancipation and onward as a freeman enabled him to have a greater passion and drive. Not only for those of his race but for those who may be less fortunate. He was a man of many beliefs and spoke of these in his many speeches. He encouraged his fellow African Americans to figure situations out for themselves, to work hard and to be educated. Having been a slave at the utmost impressionable time of his life, it is clear that these impressions heavily influenced him not only in his everyday