Dubois v. Washington Debates Essay

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois were extremely different people who had extremely different ideas on how to best tackle racism in America. Booker T. Washington preferred the passive approach, and often told African Americans that they were responsible for amending racism. In his Atlanta Compromise Speech, Booker T. stated “Our greatest danger is that in the great leap from slavery to freedom we may overlook the fact that the masses of us are to live by the productions of our hands, and fail to 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… 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.” As Booker T. stated later in his Atlanta Compromise speech, “The wisest among my race understand that the agitation of questions of social equality is the extremest folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all the privileges that will come to us must be the result of severe and constant struggle rather than of artificial forcing… It is important and right that all privileges of the law be ours, but it is vastly more important that we be prepared for the exercise of these privileges. The opportunity to earn a dollar in a factory just now is

In Chapter three of The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B Du Bois discusses Booker T. Washington and some of his accomplishments for African Americans and also criticizes some of his lack of understanding in his propaganda that he could have done more in his position to progress African Americans status instead of trying to be accepted by the white community. Washington has been criticized by Du Bois because of his “submission” to the white view on African Americans and their rights Du Bois calling him “the most distinguished Southerner since Jefferson Davis” (Du Bois, 1903).

W.E.B. Dubois was the rivaling civil rights leader during the early 20th century. W.E.B. Dubois believed that through political action and education, full-citizenship of African Americans in America would be achieved. At first, he agreed with Booker T. Washington’s teachings, however through time Dubois realized flaws within Washington’s ideas. Dubois, in “Soul of Black Folk” writes, “The black men of America have a duty to perform, a duty stern and delicate, -- a forward movement to oppose a part of the work of their greatest leader. So far as Mr. Washington peaches

The “Atlanta Compromise” by Booker T Washington was written when the racial tension was very high between the southern whites and African American blacks. The key points of the report as noted by Booker T. Washington was to reach an agreement for better relationships between the two ethnicities without any further discrimination or harm. The goal was to promote peace and harmony among the two ethnicities involved. The application of the compromise between Booker T. Washington and the Southern whites didn’t last long however before criticism arose (Washington 586). W.E.B DuBois then pointed out a definitive criticism of the “Atlanta Compromise,” labeling it as not only socially separating but also demeaning to the human civil rights.

Washington philosophy was one of economic independence and education for the African American race. Author Earl Thorpe described it as “ the first positive [philosophy]that the masses of Negroes in America ever had.” Washington believed that African Americans must be taught farming and industrial skills so they could be valuable members of the workforce.He thought that this would allow the African American population to gain respect from the whites,and be, “fully accepted as citizens and integrated into all strata of society” (PBS).Washington wanted African Americans to realize it wasn’t disgraceful or embarrassing to labor, saying that labor brought “independence and self reliance” as well as the joy that came with “doing something that the world wants done” (Washington). He believed that the greatest impediment to freedom is African Americans forgetting, “the fact that the masses of [AfricanAmericans] are to live by the production of our own hands” (Washington, Up From Slavery, pg 219-224). Washington believed in economic freedom for African

This higher power represented by Dubois was the white population. Even after emancipation, the slaves were still captive. They worked only for a place to live and food to eat because they had no money to enter the world as working men in business or in anything other than their learned skill of farming and raising the household. Similarly, Dubois lives in a generation where the black man is free, yet he is still segregated in nearly everything he does. He claims how “The Nation has not yet found peace from its sins; the freedman has not yet found in freedom his promised land”(8). By writing this, he claims how America is still not perfect, yet no matter how far they have come, “the shadow of a deep disappointment rests upon the Negro people”(8). His

In Jan Miller’s article, “Annotating Bibliography of the Washington DuBois Controversy,” she states, “Washington had the belief in trying to work within the confining circumstance of the 1890’s, and so his immediate goals often appear accommodating whereas his ultimate aims were purposely rarely mentioned. He feels political and economic salvation would develop simultaneously” (254). Nevertheless, white people continue to walk over African Americans without a fight. Truthfully, Washington is content with gradual political rights because he has more social and political rights than he did before. The critic states, “Washington tried to persuade Whites of self-interest and urges Black to build up racial enterprises” (269). Washington continues to accommodate because he believes in time, African- Americans will be able to cast down their buckets and live a life of

However they were all of the opinion that whilst others might free the body of blacks from being used as slaves, it is black people’s responsibility to free themselves from their mind. Washington advised black people to remain in the South and try by all means to avoid politics, instead they should protest in favor of industrial education (). But after a while many authors argued against his vision as they saw him as a selfish politician who had too much power but used it for his own advantage (). Although there were differences between Washington and DuBois visions there were also similarities as they both blamed African Americans for being poor and inferior, they emphasized on self-help and moral improvement rather than on rights. Moreover, DuBois challenged Washington’s program when the final emphasis on industrial education drew resources away from black liberal arts education and he saw that as an injustice (). He saw Washington’s approach as an attempt to educate African Americans to be servants and inferiors. He demanded for all black citizens’ the civic equity, education of black youth according to ability, and the right to vote

During a time period when slavery had finally come to an end, African Americans still struggled as their opportunities for equality were next to nonexistent. In this time of hardship and unfair treatment, not many of those facing these adversities had the courage to speak out on their beliefs for change; Booker T. Washington and WEB Dubois, however, did not possess such fears — both thoroughly articulated their opinions and stood for what they believed was right. Booker T. Washington and WEB Dubois shared a few commonalities — both men were highly educated, for example, as well as they both expressed strong opposition against segregation. Washington’s Up from Slavery: An Autobiography and Dubois’

Booker T. Washington is considered as one of the most influential speakers of the late 19th century speaking under the “Black American Society’s” banner. One of his most famous speeches was known as “The Atlanta Compromise Address”. This is where he was able to explain his beliefs that the African Americans should make best of their surroundings to make best of to be able to excel and succeed. He also addressed the whites by saying they should also make use of their surroundings. His main goal in this speech was to encourage a common rally between the whites and the blacks to “rally under the same flag”. The impact of “The Atlanta Compromise” was so powerful because of the way he maintained his appeal to ethos and used tone, repetition and even reasoning to further support his beliefs.

Both W.E.B Du Bois and Booker T. Washington were prominent figures in the advancement of African Americans during the 19th and 20th centuries. The facade of unity among these leaders was broken when Du Bois addressed Washington’s book, Up From Slavery, in a chapter named “Of Booker T. Washington and Others” from his novel, The Souls of Black Folk. Although he did acknowledge the accomplishments of Washington, Du Bois was clearly opposed to most of his ideas. Through the topics of submission and education, Du Bois exposes the paradoxical nature of Washington’s plan and presents a stronger argument than the passive Washington.

Racial discrimination, political, social and economic inequality during the late 19th century and early 20th century led various leaders within the black community to rise up and address the appalling circumstances that African Americans were forced to endure. Among these leaders were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois whom possessed analogous desires as it pertained to the advancement and upliftment of the black race. While both individuals were fighting for the same cause and purpose they embraced contrary ideologies and approaches to African American struggle. In Booker T. Washington’s book “Up from Slavery” African Americans were encouraged to be passive and focus on vocational education whereas in W.E.B. DuBois book “The Souls of Black Folk”, African Americans were encouraged to fight for their merited rights and focus on academic education. However, although Washington was convinced that his ideologies would sincerely uplift the black race, they actually proved to be detrimental, leaving DuBois ideology to be the most reasonable and appropriate solution for the advancement of the black race.

While Booker T. Washington views the Negro plight as a “racial uplift” is what W.E.B. Du Bois considered to be out of this world because the latter realizes that the former’s ideas was more conciliatory in nature rather than for the best interests of the Black population in America. The strong disagreements of Du Bois with most of Washington’s opinions are more defined in this essay where the Du Bois heavily criticized Washington’s stance about civil rights issues. rivalry continued to spark interest among other Negro leaders who believe that both have their own right to express how they see

During the early 1900’s racism towards African Americans was extremely prominent; lynching’s and beatings were a common occurrence among African Americans, they were denied access to most mainstream necessary services or segregated from others to alternatives that were far inferior in comparison to their white counterparts. During this time two revolutionary activist by the names of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Dubois emerged in an attempt to lessen segregating in the United States and help improve the lives of African Americans. Their approaches to the subject differed a great deal in that Booker T. Washington advocated for self-help and urged African Americans to tolerate racism for the time being and to work on improving themselves through education and eventually their hard work will pay off and whites will no longer see them as outsiders and they will eventually gain their acceptance, in contrast, W.E.B Dubois believed African Americans needed to demand their rights and not wait for whites to change their mind about them. Their approaches were seen as conservative and radical, African American were divided among this two groups, having Booker T. Washington be supported by White Americans as well.

Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois paved the pursuit for equality within the American society. Their bravery of leading those of color towards equality sparked the Civil Rights Movement, a triumph. Washington was an advocate of slowly assimilating into the white society by proving to be worthy. Washington wanted to gain economic independence through acts of peace and acceptance instead of fighting. He projected, “Cast down your bucket where you are - Cast it down in making friends … of the people of all races” (pg. 58). In his speech, Washington approached the whites in a calm manner asking for acceptance and compromise. He wanted whites to support the uprising of a multicolored society. Washington represented his principles of progression through a metaphor, “In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress” (pg. 60). DuBois believed, “Political power, insistence on civil rights, and higher education of Negro youth,” were the only ways towards equality (pg. 63). Even though Washington’s approach to inequality was admirable, DuBois favored