Booker T. Washington vs. W.E.B. Dubois Essay

In conclusion, the debate between W.E.B Dubois and Washington was nothing short of remarkable and genius. Although both men had two separate ways about doing things they both shared the same common goal, which was bettering the lives of African Americans. In my opinion, W.E.B Dubois plan to go strongly for African American rights and equality was the better strategy. Not only did he help bring us together but he gave blacks a sense of self confidence that they didn’t possess before. For once blacks believed not only can you be as good as the white man but better. While some may agree that Mr. Washington’s plan to endure the second citizenship title was only degrading and keeping the black man down. Although Washington had honorable goals Dubois gave the people a strong sense of empowerment and worthiness that has helped the black race grows into what it is today.

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.

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

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.

One could believe Washington would speak the same to a black audience simply because the ideas he was arguing were things he truly believed in. Washington saw this as a way for African Americans to create a life of equality for themselves. 4. How do you think white southerners felt about his policy of “racial accommodation”? Based on the reading, what struggle do you think African Americans during the Progressive Era may have faced?

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. .” This quote was said by the famously intelligent, hard working, and dedicated activist, Booker T Washington. He, being born a slave, knew this since his childhood and he knew the obstacles that would be in his way as a black man, even after the Civil war. Booker T Washington and W.E.B DuBois were 2 very different people with very different pasts. W.E.B. was born in the north prior to the civil war where many people accepted and welcomed African Americans into society. His past differs so much from Booker T’s childhood of slavery. Overall, both of these historical figures made a positive impact on society and equality even though they achieved their goals with different viewpoints regarding how to achieve them.

Firstly, DuBois presented clearer ideas than Washington did. Washington just requested education for black Americans, whereas DuBois demanded an integrated, legitimate education. There was no room for loopholes in DuBois’ plan, while Washington’s plan possibly could not make any real progress towards racial equality due to its lack of specificities. Also, DuBois’ plans had greater merits in changing the nation than Washington’s plan. Washington’s plan was slightly beneficial to African Americans because it pushed for education for black people in the country, however had no major effect on the status of African Americans in the long-run. He agreed to segregation and racial inequality, therefore he did not ask for any major changes to the racial pyramid of the nation. While Washington did not ask for any significant reforms, DuBois did. DuBois had the goal of making African Americans socially, economically, and politically equal under the law of the country in every way. DuBois wanted to actually change the racial dynamics of the country. The merits of his plan strongly exceeded the goals of Washington’s

DuBois’ and Washington’s ideas differentiate in a couple of ways. DuBois stressed that the only ways to reach equality were through intellectual views, education and civil rights. Washington believed equality could be obtained through economic independence and being a productive member of the society he lived in. DuBois strongly disagreed with Washington mainly because of Washington’s idea to put off the discrimination issues. Washington’s “Atlanta Compromise” speech was to advocate African American people’s agricultural and practical skills. DuBois felt these skills weren’t primarily important, since he had set his focus on intellectual views. Another difference between the two was DuBois demanded civil rights in the present, while Washington thought it was best to put them off for the time being. Washington had the accommodation for whites and African Americans to work together, yet DuBois wanted the talented African Americans to lead the struggle to secure civil rights. The greatest difference between them were their political views.

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois were two different people with completely different beliefs. To start off, Booker T. Washington was a black educator in the late 19th century and early 20th century. He was born a slave, but around the age of 9, union soldiers arrived at their plantation and told him and his family they were free. He also believed that “directly fighting for equality would only lead to more anti-black violence (such as lynching)” and also wanted to accept discrimination temporarily. W.E.B. DuBois was very different from Booker T. Washington. He was the first african american to earn a Ph D from harvard. He was best known for being a African-American rights spokesperson. He had opposing thoughts from Booker T. Washington. He believed that color discrimination is unacceptable and that black boys needed education as well as white boys. These two men’s thoughts made them drastically different from each other.

W. E. B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington were both highly intelligent African American men who wrote about the disparities between the lives of whites and blacks in the United States during the nineteenth and into the twentieth centuries. Each man saw the way in which his fellow African Americans were being treated by the white majority and used their intelligence and persuasive skills to bring attention to this very serious issue. Both men fought for equality through nonviolent protest and the application of logical argument and reasoning in order to better their lives and those of their social and ethnic brothers. Despite their shared goal of racial and sociological equality, the two men had very different ideas about how equality would be achieved and about what the African American community should or ought to expect in terms of actually obtaining that equality.

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois were both highly regarded as early advocates for equality for African American civil rights post emancipation and are highly regarded as the beginning founding fathers of the African American progression although both are noted for having different methodologies on how the goals should be accomplished.

Over 100 years ago W.E.B DuBois and Booker T. Washington began a debate over strategies for black social and economic progress, which is still prevalent today. Booker T. Washington believed that the role of education for African Americans should be an industrial one, where as W.E.B DuBois wanted African Americans to become engaged in a Liberal Arts education.

Dubois writings, unlike Washington’s writings survived aging and sounds modern. Both Dubois and Washington, however, wanted the best for their people, both were sincerely engaged in racial uplift, and therefore in the end neither was “right” or “wrong.” Indeed, Washington’s ideas fitted the era that he lived in and Dubois ideas the future.

Two of the most influential people in shaping the social and political agenda of African Americans were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois, both early twentieth century writers. While many of their goals were the same, the two men approached the problems facing African Americans in very different ways. This page is designed to show how these two distinct thinkers and writers shaped one movement, as well as political debate for years afterward.

Booker T. Washington was the first leader of the civil rights’ movement. All African Americans looked to him for advice on how to overcome their current situation. However, as time moved on, W.E.B. DuBois became his opponent. A person would think that Washington and DuBois would have worked together for a common goal, but this was not the case. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois both strived for equality and justice for the African American race. However, these two had very different ways to achieve this goal. While Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois appeared quite similar in terms of their titles as civil rights’ activists as well as professors, they differed in that they had very different backgrounds, which greatly affected their perspectives on education and racism.