Compare And Contrast Washington And W. E. B. Dubois

During the turn of the century the Jim Crow era, between the years 1895- 1950 there were two prominent black leaders that arose in order to accomplish one goal equal rights for African Americans. Although these two leaders shared different ideas and strategies for dealing with the Jim Crow era. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois dedicated their lives to gain equal rights for African Americans.

Booker T. Washington was one of the most influential African Americans of the 19th century. His work ethic, intelligence and overall personality made him respected from most blacks as well as whites. He was born in 1856, his mother was a slave cook and his father was an unknown white male. Being brought up into slavery influenced his outlook and

Du Bois believed in the pursuit of intellect though higher education, to gain equal rights for African Americans. He was an intelligent, outspoken, “enormously ambitious and disciplined” black leader. (White, p.459) “Du Bois had been born in 1868 to a family that had been free for generation.” (White, p.459) Being born into freedom Du Bois never experienced the harsh labor experiences that most slaved African American children had to face. So, he believed that education was the way for blacks to obtain advancement, power and equal rights. Du Bois “placed far more emphasis on the need for liberal arts and advanced scientific and technical education for blacks.” (White, p. 460) In 1900 he helped with the Paris World’s Fair to highlight some of the African American’s achievements. “In 1905, Du Bois helped launch the Niagara moment, a militant protest organization of black intellectuals and professionals that, in opposition to Washington’s program, tried to revitalize a national black civil rights agenda.” (White, p.460) Standing up for equal rights and taking the militant approach, he felt that African Americans should educate themselves just as the