...W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington could be considered the “twin towers” when it comes to black history in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although from different generations, their attention focused on the African-American struggle for political, social and economic equality. However, they sharply disagreed on strategies for black social and economic progress; to better understand their opposing philosophies, it is helpful to also consider their radically different backgrounds, which influenced their world-views. W.E.B. Du Bois was born in Massachusetts, three years after the end of the Civil War. His great-grandfather had fought in the American Revolution and his family had been part of the community for generations. Du Bois learned of his African roots from his grandmother, and was given a sense of destiny from his mother, who raised him after his father left home. Du Bois was a brilliant young man, working as a correspondent for New York newspapers while still in high school, and, with the help of influential members of his community, went to Fisk University in Nashville. His years at Fisk changed his life – there Du Bois met sons and daughters of former slaves, who embodied the cultural and spiritual tradition that Du Bois had glimpsed as a child. He also encountered the White South, and saw how they were destroying the achievements of Reconstruction. He saw the suffering of rural blacks when he taught school during the summers...
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...Einstein This quote typifies the conditions in which both Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois were challenged with. Not only were they two exemplary examples of African American greatness, but they proved themselves to be two of the greatest leaders of the early twentieth century regardless of race. However, as Aristotle once said “people fear what they don’t understand, and hate what they can’t conquer” thus steps were taken to dismantle their “movements” at all costs. It was because of this the two were commonly pitted against each other in media outlets to create a rift in their collective following. Not that there was any truth to their “rivalry”, contrarily many times they admitted to seeking the same result for the black race. They were seen as rebels to society because of their hopes to replace the oppressed psyche of our race with one of self-efficacy and prosperity. They perpetuated the notions of equality, diligence, self betterment, unity and accountability to name just a few of the platforms they spoke on which so affected our race during their time. They arguably had the potential to rectify three hundred years of anguish and repression had they been able to follow their directives unimpeded, but now we’ll never know. Although both Washington and Dubois had very similar intentions for the black race, they came from entirely different backgrounds and thus had different views on society. Booker T. Washington was born April 5, 1856 in Hale’s Farm, Virginia...
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...Booker T. Washington “Up from Slavery” I detected a message in the first chapter of “Up from Slavery” other than the horrors of slavery, even though that message was painfully clear. The other message that I detected is that a shallow and indulgent existence deprives a person of developing rugged individualism, character and common sense. I felt this because of the sentences, “the black man got nearly as much out of slavery as the white man did. The hurtful influences of the institution were not by any means confined to the Negro.” “The slave system on our place, in a large measure, took the spirit of self-reliance and self-help out of the white people. My old master had many boys and girls, but not one, so far as I know, ever mastered a single trade or special line of productive industry.” The slaves seemed to possess a deeper sense of self and spirituality and realized that kindness toward other human beings and honor were more rewarding than material things. I was very surprised and awed by the fact that even though the slaves were provided with abhorrent living conditions and often endured immense cruelty at the hands of their masters, they still felt love and kindness towards them and they showed compassion towards the whites when they themselves fell upon hard times. One passage that confirms the importance of honor and the feeling of compassion is “In fear of “Yankee” invasions, the silverware and other valuables were taken from the “big house,” buried...
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...Two great leaders of the black community in the late 19th and 20th century were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois. The men had many ideas; however, they sharply disagreed on the approaches to black education. Washington, committed to vocational education, trained blacks on low end jobs, and Du Bois believed in academic education in favor of trade school. Both Washington and Du Bois wanted the same thing for blacks, first-class citizenship, but their contrasting views in black education required different ways of obtaining it. Booker T. Washington’s commitment to agricultural and industrial educations was the basis of his approach. He was founder and principal of Tuskegee Institute, a normal and industrial school in Alabama. Students would receive instruction in thirty-three trades and industries, including carpentry, blacksmithing, printing, and machinery to name a few. His school aimed to train African-Americans in the skills that would help them the most in everyday practical things of life. “…the policy of industrial schools- fitting students for occupations which would be open to them in their home communities (Washington, 4).” For example, in the South there was a demand for men to operate dairies in a skillful, modern manner. This resulted in Washington adding a dairy department in connection with the school that instructed a number of young men in the latest and scientific methods of dairy work. He does not agree with the notion that many think industrial...
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...History Essay Contrasting the Proposals of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois United States History 1828 - 1914 Instructor Stewart King Clackamas Community College February 7, 2012 Accommodation vs. Integration In March of 1895, Booker T. Washington delivered his now famous Atlanta Compromise Speech. In brief, Washington proposed that blacks accept segregation and focus on getting jobs rather than demanding equality. He also proposed that blacks concentrate on learning trades and how to work with their hands – not necessarily in becoming book smart. Perhaps even more central to his message, Washington argued that if blacks focused on equality they would never make it anywhere in society. In short, Washington’s policy was one of accommodation and not rocking the boat. (Washington) Washington was very clear about what he felt black intentions should be, stating that blacks should only be seeking opportunity – not for the right to integrate with white society. He wanted white society to see the good in all black people, and not as a threat to their way of life. Eight years later, W.E.B. offered a critique of Washington’s proposal. While DuBois respected Washington as a black leader, he felt that his policy of accommodation was holding back the black race. Contrary to Washington, DuBois felt that "the right to vote," "civic equality," and "the education of youth according to ability" were essential for African American progress. (DuBois) ...
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...22/25 “Compare and contrast the ideas and positions of Booker T. Washington, Ida B. Wells-Barnett and W.E.B. DuBois. Critically evaluate the strength and weaknesses of each.” Black History 140B Professor Katungi 3-12-03 Booker Taliaferro Washington was born a slave on a plantation in Franklin Country, Virginia in 1856. One of our nations most powerful black educators; he illustrated his belief in the dignity of work. He was very skilled in politics and influential for both black and white communities. “There was no period of my life that was devoted to play.” He expressed his concept of hard work was the cornerstone of his social philosophy. Booker T. became a principle and guiding force behind Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institution in Hampton, Alabama during 1881. He felt that industrial education was a way out from the horrible sharecropping and debt. His plan also wanted to achieve self-employment, land ownership and small businesses. “Yet one has the hand in all things essential to mutual progress”, being a personal quote from Booker T. at the Atlanta Compromise address in 1895. His major role was to influence the area of race relations and black leadership. He attacked racism and secretly founder of many anti-segregationist activities. Booker T. wanted to help black Americans rise up from the economic slavery, that had held them down long after they were legally free citizens. As being a dominant figure in black public affairs from 1895 until his...
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...1903 W.E.B Dubois was one of the greatest African American leader who aspired to better the quality of black lives. W.E.B Dubois wanted all African Americans to become book smart because he thought that was the only blacks could succeed in life. W.E.B Dubois believed that African Americans should be able to read, write. W.E.B Dubois also thought that African Americans should be entitled to organized education. With both literacy and organized education, W.E.B Dubois thought it would result in higher IQ’s in African Americans. W.E.B Dubois believed that if African Americans were more intelligent that they would more comparable to the whites. All of this was called W.E.B Dubois gradualist political strategy. Unlike Booker T. Washington, W.E.B...
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...Booker T. Washington vs W.E.B du Bois, whose philosophy was more effective?Booker T. Washington was born on April 5, 1856 in West Virginia. He was born into slavery. Eventually, at the age of 9 he was free, thanks to the emancipation proclamation.Later on in his life, he went to Harvard University where he earned his degree, studied at Wayland Seminary, and then became the principal at Tuskegee Institute. Booker T. Washington is very passionate about achieving equality for African Americans. He wanted Blacks to prove they were just as equal as Whites.Also, he wanted us to agree to these segregation terms so that we could have things such as education and jobs.Many people believe that Du Bois's philosophy was more effective for achieving equality for African-Americans but he doesn't even understand life in Georgia, so how could his methods work. Booker T. Washington's philosophy was more effective...
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...Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Dubois were two great leaders of the black community in the 19th and 20th century. Both of these men were for equality. However, they had their differences. Booker T. Washington disagreed on the strategies for black social and economic progress. Booker T. Washington was a very influential black leader during his of period of living. He was for long- term equality, he was thinking down the road. Washington wanted blacks to accept discrimination, not forever, but just for the time being. He felt that they should work within the system concentrate more so on elevating themselves in order to get out of the racial hole. One way to elevate themselves would be through hard work. He believed in education in the crafts, industrial and farming skills. He felt that this would be a way to get whites to respect them, and it would be a path to African Americans being accepted by whites as citizens. Washington gave the Atlantic Compromise Speech in 1895, which was very famous. His main focus was to get African Americans to hush and work within the system. This guy was the first African American invited into the White House....
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...The twentieth-century debate between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois is one of the most well-known. Washington and DuBois wanted to improve the lives of African Americans and challenge the systems of racial prejudice and oppression. However, they had different opinions and approaches on how to promote a better life. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois both had significant roles in the movement. Booker T. Washington believed that the best path for African Americans was to attend school. Washington heard about the Hampton and when he finally arrived, he felt for the first time of what it was like to be a man instead of property. Students could attend school and also work. “Has not the negro boy or girl as good a right to study French grammar and instrumental music as the white youth?” He answered yes; however, he believes that the current condition, at that time, needed...
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...of African American studies know about the ambitious rivalry between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBouis. This rivalry between two great leaders of the black community in the late 19th and 20th century gave birth to many debates and dissension about which leader actually offered a better way for black people to advance in American society back then. I personally viewed Booker T. Washington’s beliefs about racial equality as somewhat…“colonized”. I believe his ideas were too ground in the white agenda that was going on in that era. I believe W.E.B DuBois ideas were better for the improvement of African American people in American society. Of these two great men, the first to come along was Booker T. Washington. He was a reformer, an educator and one of the most influential black leaders of his time. He preached the philosophy of racial solidarity, self-help and accommodation. He pushed for black people to accept the vicious discrimination that they were going through for the time being and instead concentrate on advancing themselves through material prosperity and hard work....
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...Jeff Fonou Professor Shearin English 101 24 October 2014 The Negro Education W.E.B Dubois and Booker T. Washington were great leaders to the African American population during their time. Although they both agreed on the progression of black communities and the Negro education; they strongly disagreed on the type of education blacks should receive, strategies to achieve economic prosperity, and the blacks’ social standing in society. Both Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Dubois advocated for the advancement of education in black communities but they had different theories. Washington preached a philosophy of self-help, racial solidarity and accommodation. Washington’s theory of education developed as a result of the path he took in acquiring an education. He believed blacks should get an industrial education based on their living conditions and economic needs. On the other hand W.E.B Dubois focused on a more liberal; intellectual based style of education. DuBois believed in the "the talented tenth" of the black population who, through their intellectual accomplishments, would rise up in society and lead the black masses. Dubois stated Washington's strategy would serve only to perpetuate white oppression. According to Washington, blacks had to start from the bottom and work their way up in society. He postulated that through industrial education blacks would not only be able to work for themselves but also know how to properly perform the tasks needed. Through this they...
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...mainstream America. Booker T. Washington was brought up with a different upbringing then most slaves during the 1800s; as he would describe as “up from slavery”. Even though he was born a slave, he had a better chance of “equal access” and equality in main stream America. He had a chance to gain an education part time during his younger years as well as working. Booker T, believed the best way to ensure progress and peace was,”for the whites to respect the blacks desire for improved economic opportunities and for blacks to respect the whites desire for social separation of the races.” I agree with this ideology because everyone was getting a piece of the cake. Negros was getting the equal opportunities, they were fighting for since day one, and whites were getting the opportunity to be isolated from the black race. But we didn’t get what we where aiming for, because main stream America was afraid, afraid of the challenge, and what we were capability of. After Booker T. graduated with honors from Hampton Institute, he changed his views of progress, to industrial education, accommodation of white supremacy, and self-help. He urged blacks to accept dimcrimination for the time and being concrete on evalating our- selves through hard work. He also believed in working with our hands, and not our brain. He felt this would win the respect of whites and lead blacks to be fully accepted as an equal citizen in society. I disagree. “Cast You Buckets Where They is” was Booker T’s new anthem...
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...change their ways yet. Jim Crow laws made it impossible for African-American’s to feel accepted. In the south after the U.S. Army left, whites reasserted control and two leaders stepped forward, each with their own ideas on how to attain equality. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois, both were highly educated men. Booker T. Washington was perhaps more famous, having had dinner with President Theodore Roosevelt. Washington had dealt with suppression his entire life, having been born a slave in Virginia. With an insatiable thirst for more from life, he attended a night school where he learned. Using what he learned he went on to become administrator at a trade school. The Tuskegee Institute was a school in Alabama with an African-American student body and taught trades useful in the work force to young African-American’s. The Tuskegee Institute rang throughout with Washington’s idea on how to push for civil rights, being that working alongside segregation blacks could train themselves and learn equal rights in time with social stature. However, not all black leaders agreed with him. W.E.B. DuBois was a powerful leader with powerful ideas. He strongly encouraged all blacks to demand immediate equal rights and the right to vote. W.E.B. DuBois believed the right to vote should not half to be earned. Having grown up in Massachusettes, DuBois never had to go through slavery, and graduated from Harvard with a Ph.D. in History. He lead the Niagara Movement with other intelligent black...
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...There are many specific attitudes and actions that would permit some individuals to commit injustices against those of another race, or perhaps even their own. For instance, in “Booker T. and W.E.B.” by Dudley Randall, Booker T. is arguing with the fact that slavery isn’t bad and by that, African Americans should tolerate the injustices happening to them. Additionally, in the poem Randall writes, ““....It seems to me, said Booker T. That all you folks have missed the boat who shout about the right to vote, and spend vain days and sleepless nights in uproar over civil rights. Just keep your mouths shut, do not grouse, but work, and slave, and buy a house.”(Page 19) Moreover, Booker T. is also stating that no matter what the white owners do or...
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