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The impact and influence of booker t washington
Influence of booker t washington today
The impact and influence of booker t washington
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Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois were two intelligent African-American leaders who are historically responsible for the evolution of Blacks in America. Booker T. Washington had views on slavery that only a few African Americans had. Washington’s mother was an African slave and his father was her white master. His views on slavery, education, segregation and integration were totally different from W.E.B Du Bois ideologies. Booker T. wrote a letter to the president and asked for one main thing, and that was for Blacks to be recognized. Washington advocated for blacks in the work force. He strongly believed that blacks should work to make a living and be at the top of their game while doing so. He also believed that you should build from the bottom, work hard and you will make it to the …show more content…
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Washington gives details about the changes that he wants to see in the south and feels that the white man is the neighbor of the black man. He also feels that even though the white man should help, blacks should learn to fend for themselves. Washington says that, “the Negro is given a man’s chance in the commercial world”. What Washington is saying is that the Negro basically has the same chance as the white man to make a living for himself, when this was not the reality during his generation. In Washington’s letter he tries to convince the president that blacks have given whites no reason to mistreat or mistrust, or abuse them. The point of his letter was to bring unity within the south between whites and blacks. Washington concludes the letter by stressing, “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”. Washington’s views on integration/segregation and African American freedom are based on the unity of both races and the Negro compromising for the white man to be
accepted. W.E.B Du Bois was the total opposite of Washington. He thinks that Booker T. Washington’s ideologies of integration/segregation were based on blacks giving up their political power, civil rights and the higher education of the Negro youth. Du Bois insisted on full civil rights, increased political representation, and believed that this could only be brought about by the African-American intellectual elite. He strongly believed in educating the Negro. Having a college education was a necessity in his opinion. Du Bois writes that he remembers educated slaves like Phillis Wheatley who actually taught herself how to read and write. “The college-bred Negro, he is, as he ought to be, the group leader, the man who sets the ideals of the community where he lives, directs its thoughts and heads social movements”. W.E.B Dubois also posed a question to the black community: “Can you protect what you earn economically, if you have no political rights?” The main point of Du Bois’ view on the integration of whites and blacks was education, and I agree with it. My current position as a college student makes it nearly impossible for me to not agree with Du Bois. I was always taught that education was very important and I agree that an educated generation will go further than one that is not. My mother raised me with the frame of mind that an education is not an option but the road to a successful future and Du Bois’ opinion is the exact representation of that theory. I believe that if you set your sights on the bottom, you will stay there. Du Bois says, “The best and most capable of [our] youth must be schooled in the colleges and universities.” He was an educated black man who believed that education was the only way for blacks to achieve total economic and political self-improvement.
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.
W. E. B. Du Bois and Booker T Washington had very different views about their culture and country. Du Bois, being 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. Thus being born half-white, his views and ideas were sometimes not in the best interest of his people.
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...
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".
The Similarities and Differences of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois’s Views During the late 19th and early 20th century, racial injustice was very prominent and even wildly accepted in the South. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois were two of the most renowned “pioneers in the [search] for African-American equality in America” (Washington, DuBois, and the Black Future). Washington was “born a slave” who highly believed in the concept of “separate but equal,” meaning that “we can be as [distant] as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress” (Washington 1042). DuBois was a victim of many “racial problems before his years as a student” and disagreed with Washington’s point of view, which led
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
The differences of their philosophies were clearly shown in their writings—Booker T. Washington’s “Up from slavery” and Du Bois’s “The Souls of Black Folk”. Before we analyze the similarities and differences of both of the leaders, we have to look at their early life experiences as it can be an important factor on how and where they get their inspiration for their philosophies. Booker T. Washington was an influential leader during his time and a philosopher that always addressed the philosophy of self-help, racial unity and accommodation. He had preached and urged all the black people to simply accept the discrimination that they got and asked them to work hard to gain material prosperity (Painter 169). In his
W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington were two very influential leaders in the black community during the late 19th century, early 20th century. However, they both had different views on improvement of social and economic standing for blacks. Booker T. Washington, an ex-slave, put into practice his educational ideas at Tuskegee, which opened in 1881. Washington stressed patience, manual training, and hard work. He believed that blacks should go to school, learn skills, and work their way up the ladder. Washington also urged blacks to accept racial discrimination for the time being, and once they worked their way up, they would gain the respect of whites and be fully accepted as citizens. W.E.B. Du Bois on the other hand, wanted a more aggressive strategy. He studied at Fisk University in Tennessee and the University of Berlin before he went on to study at Harvard. He then took a low paying research job at the University of Pennsylvania, using a new discipline of sociology which emphasized factual observation in the field to study the condition of blacks. The first study of the effect of urban life on blacks, it cited a wealth of statistics, all suggesting that crime in the ward stemmed not from inborn degeneracy but from the environment in which blacks lived. Change the environment, and people would change too; education was a good way to go about it. The different strategies offered by W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington in dealing with the problems of poverty and discrimination faced by Black Americans were education, developing economic skills, and insisting on things continually such as the right to vote. ...
...s with their words, whether it be oration or writing. They caused blacks to be proud of who and what they were, and it also showed them that they could do more. These two men squashed the notion that Booker T. Washington spoke of in his speech in Atlanta, Georgia on September 18, 1895, where he said that blacks must accept their inferior role.
I believe the letter also sought to solidify his position on the injustice created by segregation and illustrate the lack of action not only of the white moderate, but also the complacent black citizens. In addition, it was important to make light of the single-minded comments of the white religious leaders when referring to their worry about the demonstrations; without focusing on why the demonstrations came about. They were looking at the effects and not the causes. Also, Martin Luther King says that “…freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” Important distinctions to make for those that are not compelled by the injustice of segregation; mainly the complacent black citizens and the white moderate. Ultimately, the letter is a call to action; a call to the people of the American South to change their beliefs and change their society. Also, an example of how difficult it is to achieve change when resistance is demonstrated by individuals and society at large.
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 great leader. He was all for helping the black community become stronger. His goal was very hard to achieve considering the period in which he lived. America, during Washington's time was under reconstruction. The Civil War was over and blacks were, by law, equal to any other human being. Slavery was abolished and many southerners had a problem with that. To many whites, black people didn't deserve and weren't intellectually "ready" for such freedoms. The South had such a hard time accepting it that Union troops were stationed in southern states who couldn't cooperate. Booker T. Washington is a prime example to southerners who think that blacks can amount to nothing. In my paper I will talk to you about the many accomplishments he has made and the hardships that were attached to his achievements. As always a lot of people tried to pull Booker down. Some were even of the same race as Mr. Washington. But along the way a lot people helped Booker. People who he helped, his family, his community, and others who felt he was just a really great guy.
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 were very important African American leaders in the United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They both felt strongly that African Americans should not be treated unequally in terms of education and civil rights. They had strong beliefs that education was important for the African American community and stressed that educating African Americans would lead them into obtaining government positions, possibly resulting in social change. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois had similar goals to achieve racial equality in the United States, they had strongly opposing approaches in improving the lives of the black population. Washington was a conservative activist who felt that the subordination to white leaders was crucial for African Americans in becoming successful and gaining political power.