Analysis of The Difference Between W.e.b. Dubois’ and Booker T. Washington's Points of View

Introduction

W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington were two of the greatest leaders in the 19th and 20th centuries who had high hopes for the African American communities, but they disagreed on their strategies for black social and economic growth. Washington believed in education to learn new skills and trades, advocating for patience. He believed education "is to teach the present generation to provide a material or industrial foundation," suggesting that African Americans should wait it out, as times will change; just learn trades you can survive on. He preached a philosophy of self-help, racial solidarity, and accepted that black Americans would remain second-class citizens. DuBois, however, could not accept this. DuBois believed African Americans could do better than accepting their second-class citizenship by obtaining college educations and developing a broad base of understanding, allowing them to make their own choices in life instead of being limited to certain types of jobs based solely on the color of their skin. Education should teach students to be critical thinkers and impassioned citizens, not just to pick up a specific trade.

Analysis of The Difference Between W.E.B. DuBois’ and Booker T. Washington's Points of View

Booker T. Washington was born a slave in the 1850s but died as one of the most influential African-American intellectuals of the late 19th century (Washington, 1901). When emancipated after the Civil War, he became one of the few African Americans to complete school, which enabled him to become a teacher. Washington argued that when whites saw African Americans contributing as productive members of society, equality would naturally follow. He believed African Americans should abandon their short-term hopes of social and political equality. Washington expressed his vision for African Americans in the direction of the school he started, the Tuskegee Institute. He believed that by providing needed skills to society, African Americans would play their part, leading to acceptance by white Americans (Harlan, 1983). He held that blacks would eventually gain full participation in society by acting as responsible, reliable American citizens. Being born a slave and having to work hard to become successful played a significant role in Washington’s political philosophy. In the “Atlanta Compromise” speech, Washington stated that African Americans should accept disenfranchisement and social segregation if whites allowed them economic progress, educational opportunity, and justice in the courts (Washington, 1895). This perspective made sense to him, given his experiences growing up. However, not all shared Washington's beliefs.

DuBois publicly opposed Booker T. Washington's 'Atlanta Compromise,' an agreement that asserted that vocational education for blacks was more valuable to them than social advantages like higher education or political office (DuBois, 1903). DuBois was born in 1868 to a free black family who owned land and did not experience racism until he went to Nashville, Tennessee, to attend Fisk University. He criticized Washington for not demanding equality for African Americans, as granted by the 14th Amendment. DuBois believed that all people of African descent had common interests and should work together in the struggle for their freedom and not just settle for trade school jobs (Lewis, 1993). He argued that without the push for civil rights and higher education, African Americans would remain subjugated and unable to achieve true equality.

Conclusion

I think both men’s upbringing played major roles in why they had such different points of view. Washington, growing up in the South, urged blacks to accept discrimination for the time being and concentrate on elevating themselves through hard work and material prosperity. In contrast, DuBois wanted all to fight for equal freedom and rights as white Americans. Washington believed that economic independence and the ability to demonstrate themselves as productive members of society would eventually lead blacks to true equality and that they should, for the time being, set aside any demands for civil rights. DuBois maintained that education and civil rights were the only path to equality and that conceding their pursuit would simply serve to reinforce the notion of blacks as second-class citizens. These contrasting views highlight the complexity of the struggle for African American advancement and the need for a multifaceted approach to achieving equality.

References

• DuBois, W.E.B. (1903). The Souls of Black Folk. A.C. McClurg & Co.
• Harlan, L.R. (1983). Booker T. Washington: The Wizard of Tuskegee, 1901-1915. Oxford University Press.
• Lewis, D.L. (1993). W.E.B. Du Bois: Biography of a Race, 1868-1919. Henry Holt and Company.
• Washington, B.T. (1895). The Atlanta Compromise. Speech delivered at the Cotton States and International Exposition, Atlanta, GA.
• Washington, B.T. (1901). Up from Slavery: An Autobiography. Doubleday, Page & Co.