He believed that African American economic gains were not secure unless there was political power to safeguard them. “I think, though, that the opportunity to freely exercise such political rights will not come in any large degree through outside or artificial forcing…" (Washington 234). They both believed in equality. Although one believed in used force and military movements the other used writing to reach his audience. While there were many points of contention between Washington and DuBois, there were similarities in their philosophies as well.
In the analysis of the abundance of wonderful leaders who made a difference in the African American community since emancipation, W.E.B Du Bois made a special impact to advance the world. From founding the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, to his influential book The Souls of Black Folk, he always found an accurate yet abstract way of verbalizing the strives of African Americans as well as making platforms for them to be known. Although he had less power than most of the bigger named African American leaders of his time, W.E.B Dubois’ overweighing strengths verses weaknesses, accurate and creative analogies, leadership style, and the successful foundations he stood for demonstrates his ability to be both realistic and accurate in his assessment since emancipation. Though Du Bois did have a beneficial impact
Contrast DuBois to Washington on the issue of education. Which side of the debate is more persuasive for the late 19th century: industrial or higher ed? W.E.B Dubois' approach on the issue of higher education is a more persuasive debate for late 19th century as it provided a radical approach for that era and helped politically charge a race in their fight for equality. Both Booker T. Washington and Dubois were key figures in the advancement of African Americans, yet they had very different approaches in their quest for improving the future of their fellow race.
Thesis statement: The two great leaders in the black community debating about the issues that face the Negro race and Du Bois gave a compelling argument by using pathos, logos and ethos to create an essay that will appear to all readers. Outline: This essay will showcase the contradicting philosophies between W.E.B Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. Also, paying close attention to the different types of leadership between the two historic leaders in the black community. Both W.E.B Du Bois and Booker T. Washington contributed to and helped shape the future of African Americans.
Achieving African American Equality Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois were two of the most influential advocates for African American equality during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries (Blatty, 1). Although both men ultimately had the same goal, their methods for achieving African American equality were remarkably different. To begin, the men had conflicting ideas about what constituted as African American equality. Booker T. Washington argued that the accumulation of wealth and the ability to prove that Blacks were productive members of society would be the mark of true equality for African Americans (Painter, 155).
Du Bois believes that Washington exhibits an old attitude of submission. Whereas Washington sees starting from the bottom as necessary and beneficial Du Bois sees it as submissive and harmful towards the progression of equality. Both Du Bois and Washington believed that their viewpoint was going to lead to more equal treatment and overall improved quality of life for African Americans. Both Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois had ideas on how to improve African American lives, Washington believed in starting at the bottom and working up whereas Du Bois had an opposing viewpoint he saw starting from the bottom as submissive and believed African Americans should hold important jobs in
W.E.B DuBois’ plan was smarter than Booker T. Washington’s because DuBois’ plan was to fight for the rights of African Americans, and give people a good and equal education. Booker T Washington’s plan was to ignore segregation and discrimination so he can just focus on the wealth and education of former slaves to win over the whites acceptance. One part of DuBois’ plan was the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP. This Association was one of the most influential civil rights organization. It “focused on legal strategies designed to confront the critical civil rights issues.”.
Washington also wanted black people and black culture to succeed. He suggested that black people should be educated by learning a single trade and that it was a good way to integrate them into society. DuBois strongly disagreed with the idea that black people should only learn a single trade. He did not hate Washington, in fact he respected him for trying to help African Americans prosper. DuBois still felt that Washington’s ideas did need to be criticized.
The Crisis focuses on both proving yourself and demanding rights; The various advertisements found throughout the article, show that they offer opportunities for blacks to become successful. During this time, Washington and DuBois were two figures who were promoting black excellence in their own ideas. Washington believed that African Americans should create a separate society where they are not dependents on whites; they would create their own economy, towns and even learn in a vocational school but most importantly, Washington didn’t believe that fighting for citizenship was necessary, that It would come on its own. His ideas were popular among whites from both north and south because Washington emphasized on how whites could work together, but be separate. DuBois on the other hand, believed that
Washington and W.E.B. Dubois helped shape African American culture and equality. They both had a huge influence on African American society, both helped contribute to the cause of African American social equality, and even influenced other African American writers and their works. Washington and Dubois got the ball rolling on social equality for African Americans and it wouldn’t stopped until it came to pass. They inspired writers for generations writing about equality for African Americans. They even helped form organizations and schools to help African Americans in society.
Two black activist W.E.B Dubois and Booker T. Washington had different perspectives about African American education to overcome economic and social problems such as lack of education, racism and unfair laws. Booker T. Washington opinion was for education for African Americans were for them to show themselves as productive in the society. W.E.B Dubois thought that black education should be primary and the black children should accept white supremacy. The challenges that blacks faced in the late 1800 's early 1900 '2 were blacks were enslaved in the south were they lost citizenship, voting rights and working in skilled jobs because they were looked at like a threat by the whites.
During the time period this story was written segregation was a major social issue. Blacks did not get the same treatment as whites in any establishment. Dubois reaction to this issue was based on the fact that integration was a fight to be fought at a gradual pace. Although, blacks could not recieve the same benefits and treatment whites do they would slowly win that fight a little at a time, by first being allowed on the same bus as whites, then same schools and so on.
Another issue that the NAACP and Dubois had was with lynching. Through “The Crisis”, Dubois was able to expose many of the horrors of lynching and have it out there for the general public. Through his many anti-lynching pieces, Dubois was able to garner a significant amount of support against lynching and this eventually led to an anti-lynching law. This was a huge win for all African Americans. In addition, Dubois also helped African Americans culturally through his pieces promoting black creativity.
Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. In that period, Washington was considered the voice of the black masses. His message was one of compromise between blacks and whites; he believed that the African American minority had to accept the social separation of the two races, if they wanted to persuade the whites to give them more economic opportunities. He also thought that blacks had to show whites how valuable they were and to this end their literature had to be filled only with great African American characters, not simple and truthful black peasants. In his 1901 autobiography, “Up from slavery”, he narrates his personal experiences and the obstacles he overcame in his life going from being a slave to the position of schoolmaster.
Two Great Men “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. ”- Thomas a. Edison Frederick Douglas and Booker T. Washington were both amazing civil rights activists. Frederick Douglas was a runaway slave who worked to end slavery.