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

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The concept and discourse surrounding the battle for racial uplift has remained a pillar of Black activism and intellectual debates for over a century. While there have been a multitude of individuals involved in the struggle for racial uplift whose names never made it into the history books, there have also been a small number of individuals for whom history did capture. Two of the most famous members of the racial uplift battle were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. While both Washington and Dubois made it of paramount importance to improve the lives of Black people living in American society, they disagreed on the methodologies for how this racial uplift should be implemented. Through a comparative analysis of Booker T. Washington’s and W.E.B. Du Bois's theories on racial uplift, this paper contends that while both Du Bois and Washington highlight the importance of the power of individual agency, they differ markedly to the degree in which they emphasize multiple social institutions and the power of the social institutions to drive positive change in American Society. At the dawn of the 20th century, the Black …show more content…

Du Bois and Booker T. Washington is a reflection of the richness of thought and complexity of the struggle of Racial Uplift in America. The contrasting perspectives of Du Bois and Washington reveal the myriad ways in which communities and individuals can engage with the pursuit of progress, highlighting the significance of both social institution and personal agency in shaping the arc of history. The intellectual contributions of Washington and Du Bois continue to resonate, inspiring generations to confront the challenges of racial inequity and injustice with courage, wisdom, and a deep commitment to the collective good. In their profound insights, we are reminded that the pursuit of racial uplift is an ever evolving tapestry of efforts, interwoven with the dreams, aspirations, and resilience of the human

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In the era of 1920’s and 30’s; Black-America witnessed a rivalry between none other than Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois. This changed the navigation of society and was the birth of the Civil Rights Movement. Even though they were born in the same era, their views on African-American living standards differed in a few ways. Their upbringing and differences of methods is what shaped Black-America into what it is today.

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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

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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.

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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).

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DuBois’s first post-dissertation book, The Philadelphia Negro, released in 1899, determined that housing and employment discrimination were the principal barriers to racial equality and black prosperity in the urban North. (blackpast.org/aah/dubois-william-edward-burghardt-1868-1963) In his written book, The Souls of Black Folks, released in 1903, he argued for "manly" and "ceaseless agitation and insistent demand for equality” which demanded a education of equality for blacks that’s not inferior to whites. (W. E. B. Du Bois and the NAACP, Virginia Historical Society) Du Bois promoted the idea of self improvement, without giving up full citizenship rights, which impacted the general well being of African American and visualized the idea of having an exclusive group of all black, educated leaders called “The

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After studying earth for 150 years we have collected many valuable artifacts and to bring these home we have to leave a crew member behind to influence earth. I am choosing to leave behind Booker T. Washington instead of W.E.B Dubois. I have chosen Washington to stay because I believe his slower approach towards racial progress in the U.S will result in less violence. Washington believes that if black’s learn trade skills they can slowly emerge themselves into society as an equals. He has plans to create an all African American school teaching trade skills to blacks called Tuskegee Normal.

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At the turn of the century, two leaders drove the civil rights movement: W. E. B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington. Both voiced responses to the fact that African Americans were shackled by the oppressive confines of an culture who viewed African Americans as inferior. Both men address the African American population, but neither men address how to change the mindsets of the white population, so men and women of all colors will be able to unite and live as one people. If African Americans follow Washington and limit themselves to the work and serve the white man “with devotion” as they did in the past, African Americans will continue to be enslaved, tilling the same fields as their shackled ancestors. Even if African Americans follow DuBois’

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Due to the political, civil, and institutional failures for African Americans during the Reconstruction era, two pioneers posited programs for uplift: W. E. B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. In Souls of Black Folk, Du Bois argued Washington’s solutions created a triple paradox that encouraged disenfranchisement, self-deprecating pacifism, and academic ignorance. Moreover, DuBois found Washington was misguided by three dangerous half-truths: The South was justified in its treatment of African Americans, higher education was wrong, and uplift was primarily the burden of African Americans. Conversely, Du Bois argued to judge the South with discriminate criticism, which reoriented African American political thought. Furthermore, Du Bois demanded

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Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois took different approaches to fight for civil rights but both fought for freedom and equality for people of color. Washington’s approach seemed

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Analyzing the civil rights stance of Booker T. Washington, W.E.B DuBois, and Marcus Garvey will reveal

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In an era where African Americans were caught in the middle of an awkward transition between slavery and unrestricted freedom, few voices could rise above the noise to lead Blacks to a better future. Booker T. Washington, a former slave himself, found that voice. Approaching contemporary issues through a realistic lens, Washington saw Black empowerment in the world of industry rather than in the world of politics. He saw solutions in brotherhood among diverse cultures, a necessity for a nation torn apart by extreme polarization, and understood the importance of training the first generations of free blacks for the workforce. In this sense, Washington established himself as a true visionary.

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As claimed by Booker T. Washington, “keep in mind that we shall prosper in proportion as we learn to dignify and glorify common labour, and put brains and skill into the common occupations of life; shall prosper in proportion as we learn to draw the line between the superficial and the substantial, the ornamental gewgaws of life and the useful” (Paragraph 2). The African American people will and over time work to get to the top, and that they will prove to the white man that they do belong whether success of the field or in the new world they have finally allowed to be successful in. In this paragraph Mr. Washington uses a emotional point and turned it into motivation for Africans to work hard and try their best no matter what lay ahead. “It is at the bottom of life we must begin, and not at the top. Nor should we permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities” (Paragraph

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Du Bois elaborates on this, claiming that the impression left by Washington’s propaganda was that the South’s attitude was justified, Negroes had failed because of their own wrong education in the past, and that the future of their community depended on the Negroes themselves (page 936). Du Bois makes valid and appropriate points not only through his own opinions, but also through the silenced critiques of his community. In comparing the two different works and the two different men, it is apparent that Washington and Du Bois both desired what was best for their oppressed community, but had two different visions on how to achieve it. Washington wanted it by compromise.

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In Booker T. Washington’s speech “the Atlanta Compromise,” he admits the flaws in American race relations, but remains optimistic and presents an outlook for the American future. He reveals the differences in the well being of African Americans and White Americans, and points out that their work and lives will continue to be different. Despite these differences, he urges White and Black americans to live together. He asks Black Americans to accept that it will be difficult to improve their standing, but to concentrate on education instead of asking for an increase in positions and and social standing. Similarly, he asks White Americans to accept that Blacks will need time to become successful and that it is a process.

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E. B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington debated whether to confront or appease racist attitudes in the United States. As segregation regimes took hold in the South in the 1890s with the tacit approval of the rest of the country, many African Americans found a champion in Booker T. Washington and adopted his self-help autobiography, Up from Slavery (1901), as their guide book to improve fortunes. Washington portrayed his own life in such a way as to suggest that even the most disadvantaged of black people could attain dignity and prosperity in the South by providing themselves valuable, productive members of society deserving of fair and equal treatment before the law. A classic American success story, Up from Slavery solidified Washington’s reputation as the most eminent African American of the new century. Yet Washington’s primacy was soon challenged.

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