Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois are two of the most vital and persuasive African Americans of the late 19th century, playing critical roles in the civil rights battle. The goal of this paper is to compare and contrast Booker. T Washington and W.E.B DuBois and why I side with Washington’s perspective. In order to paint a picture of these great men, I must compare and contrast the approaches of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois.

Washington encouraged blacks to acknowledge segregation and concentrate on building themselves up through difficult work. He believed in instruction within the mechanical and cultivating abilities and the development in the areas of persistence and endeavor. He wanted to win the regard of whites and have the African-Americans acknowledged and accepted into regular society. W.E.B DuBois believed that individuals of African descent should come together and deal with racism. Forming with like-minded individuals, Du Bois founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People or NAACP. He believed African Americans should finish their education; he didn’t want them to have to fight or be prejudiced.

Washington had confidence that going to college and getting an education would be essential for a better future. He was an instructor and the first leader at Tuskegee University in Alabama.. Washington also believed that African Americans should understand important concepts of financial well-being. He understood how to set positive goals for African Americans in order to withstand the bigotry taking place in the 1800s. W.E.B DuBois’s goal was to end racism against all African Americans by requesting equal status with Caucasians... Du Bois requested that African Americans be equal to whites, creating the concept of “the talented tenth.” The duty of African Americans was to reach their own personal goals while helping others do the same; he wanted political equity for all races.

Booker T. Washington focused on education for genuine life occupations and not inquiring balance from the whites. His main goal was getting offered assistance from Caucasians. s W.E.B DuBois used a policy of gradualism. In order for African Americans to be able to get places in life, they had to develop intelligence about the political challenges facing African Americans... He also believed that they should not have to deal with separation. The main thing difference between Washington and Du Bois was that Washington believed equality between white and blacks would occur gradually, while Du Bois wanted immediate equality. Both of them agreed that there should be equal rights among all races, and education was the means to that goal.

While I acknowledge the many similarities between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois, I find myself siding with Washington. He wanted African Americans to give their all no matter what and promoted the importance of education. Washington accomplished a great deal during his time by pushing himself and developing skills to achieve his accomplishments while helping others. He left a major impact, and to this day, Washington continues to be an inspiration to others.

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