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

W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington were two great leaders of the black community in the late 19th and 20th century. They both had the same intent with their thought but they came from two different backgrounds so it was hard for them to have agreement. Booker T. Washington spent his early childhood in slavery. W. E. B. DuBois grew up both free and in the North. Ergo, he did not experience the harsh conditions of slavery or of southern prejudice he grew up with white Americans and even attended predominately white schools. So they both grew up in two different worlds and came from two different backgrounds so their views of their philosophical standpoints. One of the biggest disagreements in philosophies between the two was over the issue

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. Both worked adamantly against lynching and opposed racially motivated violence. While Washington may have stressed industrial education over liberal arts, he did believe that liberal arts were beneficial (Washington 203). Furthermore, DuBois greatly appreciated and acknowledged many of Washington's noteworthy accomplishments (DuBois 68). The best plan in my opinion was from Booker T. Washington because he was able to live through slavery first hand he knows what they went through and how it felt. How can preach or speak on equality when you never had to experience the slavery first