Comparison Of Booker T. Washington And W. E. B. Dubois

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

towards the goal of achieving equal rights and the American Dream for black Americans.
Booker T. Washington wrote on many topics during his life, such as slavery, segregation, and the importance of education.

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

labor and working one’s way up in the economy the route to success for African-Americans. He wanted them to find success through the American Dream, a dream which had long been denied black people. This approach is illustrated in Lorraine Hansbury’s A Raisin in the Sun by the character of Walter Lee. Walter Lee is seeking the American Dream, and he sees himself achieving it by moving up in the economy. He does not want to be a servant, not because of the social status, but because of the income. He wants to own a business and be successful. Ruth tells Mama, “Walter Lee say colored people ain’t never going to start getting ahead till they start gambling on some different kinds of things in the world--investments and things.” He envisions his family living a comfortable, upper middle-class life, and that is the fulfillment of his goal. He cares so much about this dream, that at one point, he is even willing to sacrifice his dignity and self-respect to get it. In one scene, Mama laments over his materialistic view of life, “Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life-now it’s money.” Walter’s approach is similar to that of Washington because of its focus on economic equality and prosperity.
W.E.B.

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

Asagai, “I am not an assimilationist!” In many ways, the character of Beneatha exemplifies the approach to equality that was taken by Dubois and other African-Americans. They were both proud, confrontational, and direct in their approaches, with a kind of righteous (in some cases not so much) fury against those who stood in their way or disagreed with them. For example, whenever Ruth did not respond to him when he was talking about business ventures, he would rant about how wives ought to support their husbands, and ask her why she never supported him. Dubois was extremely and publicly critical of Washington’s methods. He wrote in his The Souls of Black Folk, “Mr. Washington practically accepts the alleged inferiority of the Negro races... He asks that black people give up, at least for the present, three things—first, political power; second, insistence on civil rights; third, higher education of Negro youth…” They both saw equal social standing and equal treatment under the law as the way to truly attain freedom for black Americans.
These two views, that of Washington, and that of Dubois, were radically different in theory and in application. Just as Walter and Beneatha clashed sometimes, and found it difficult to understand each other’s point of view, the activists and writers of the civil rights movement often could not understand each others methods. They often struggled to find value in approaches that were different from their own. It can be difficult to admit that someone else is doing certain things in a more effective and better way. It can be hard to realize that there is much to be learned from those that one disagrees with. Most importantly, those who are fighting for a just cause must find solidarity and unity in that cause, if at all possible. Otherwise, they will have little chance at reaching their goal.