Similarities Between Booker T. Washington And W. E. B. Dubois

Ashton Kimbrough

Section 020 History of the American People: 1877-Present

February 13, 2017

Comparing the Ideas of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois

Activists for equality among African Americans, Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois possessed differing ideas about the acquisition of civil rights. Washington promoted industrial based education and economic self-reliance among African Americans; Du Bois believed that equality would be achieved through a more classical education among the top ten percent of African Americans, who would then lead the rest of the African American population. Washington and Du Bois’ ideologies sprang from their unique backgrounds. Du Bois was biracial, attended a non-segregated primary school and segregated

In his writing, Washington explains how, prior to emancipation, African Americans learned how to master particular trades. Which meant that whites, who could not sow or farm, turned towards those American Americans who could to meet their industrial needs. African Americans who could perform these trades were seen as valuable contributors to society. Washington clearly expresses his belief in the necessity of an industrial education as opposed to a more classical, liberal arts teaching, stating “I would not confine the race to industrial life, not even to agriculture, for example, although I believe that by far the greater part of the Negro race is best off in the country districts” (Washington). While Washington does not say that a classical education is a waste, he believes that African Americans will have a better chance of gaining respect and equality if they stay in trade occupations. Washington recognizes the opposition and clarifies the difference between being worked and working by stating, “being worked meant degradation, while working means civilization; that all forms of labor are honorable, and all forms of idleness disgraceful” (Washington). At the time, many African Americans were concerned about preforming jobs that they held while enslaved but Washington explained that trade jobs would provide African Americans the best opportunity to gain equality because those jobs

Du Bois published “Talented Tenth”. Du Bois believed that African Americans had been preforming demeaning work for far too long. He urged African Americans with classical liberal arts educations to fulfill their rightful place in positions of leadership and power. Du Bois provides statistics of the many respectable occupations held by African Americans to back his belief and claims that, “These figures illustrate vividly the function of the college bred Negro. He is, as he ought to be, the group leader, the man who set the ideals of the community where he lives, directs its thoughts and heads its social movements” (Du Bois). Du Bois believes that these positions of power would lead to the respect of African Americans because there would be no other option available and that in power they would be able to enforce equality among all. His main argument was that, “The Talented Tenth of the Negro Race must be made leaders of thought and missionaries of culture among their people” (Du Bois). Du Bois claims that the “Talented Tenth” were not called upon to simply attain positions of power but they were also called to educate the masses of their worth. He wanted equal and just treatment as soon as possible. Du Bois was dependent on classical liberal arts education to strengthen knowledge and character among the African American population. He believed that by demanding impartial treatment and