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Booker T Washington

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It is apparent to most that African Americans have faced profound adversity in their quest for equality. In the late 19th and early 20th century blatant discrimination plagued many aspects of life for the newly freed blacks of America. Economic inequality, social injustice, formal legislation and lack of opportunities were but a few of the trials and tribulations African Americans endured. Through these challenges numerous leaders emerged to pioneer the pathway to equality with the main goal of improving the quality of life for blacks in America.
Many great leaders approached this great and historic debacle with differing leadership styles, strategies, and philosophies that have shaped the progression of the African American race in the United States. This paper will examine the similarities and differences and the effects of opposing leadership styles, strategies and philosophies of prominent African American activists such as Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Dubois. In accompaniment, an original argument on the best strategy for the advancement of African Americans will be explored.
Educator, renowned speaker, former slave, mentor, mentee and African American spokesman are but a few adjectives to describe Booker T. Washington. Washington’s strategy for the advancement of Blacks was largely ingrained with subservience, patience, perseverance, and hard-work. It is widely argued that his unusually charmed and positively affected past with Whites shaped his outlook, strategy and message to his fellow people. Washington was favored by Whites at an early age beginning with an employee who would let him study with her own children to even earning the honor of being the first African American to meet and advise the current President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. It comes as no surprise that Washington’s strategy was based on the kindness and fairness

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