James Sleigh Red History Booker T. Washington and W.E.B.

Du Bois Essay The post-Civil War era was a period that changed the lives of many African Americans throughout the United States. For the first time ever, blacks were given rights and protection under laws that were authorized under federal and state governments. Although blacks began to have the same rights as other citizens of the United States, their freedoms were sometimes unattainable because many blacks were unprepared for the world they faced. Many blacks had no education, they could not read or write, they had no land or shelter, and they often were forced to return to servitude under their former masters. The scholar W.E.B. Du Bois believed that blacks should take advantage of new rights, like voting, and become more active politically and in society. Another scholar, Booker T. Washington, believed that blacks should be concerned mainly about their work, and focus on contributing to their families. Both perspectives were shaped by their origins. Although African Americans had been granted rights under laws and amendments, they were not prepared to support themselves. Many blacks had been slaves; they owned no land and had very little money. Booker T. Washington believed that blacks would eventually attain racial equality by working hard, thereby gaining respect from others. As Washington says in the great leap from slavery to freedom we may overlook the fact that the masses of us are to live by the production of our hands, and fail to keep in mind that we shall prosper in proportion as we dignify and glorify common labor and put brains and skill into the common occupations of life (Washington, 210). Washington believed that many blacks should be concerned primarily about working for money, since many blacks were very poor. Washington did not think that blacks
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should focus on education and politics in the early stages of their new, freed lives because he believed that they should concentrate more on economic independence, and providing for themselves and their families. Washingtons message was shaped by the way he was raised. He was born a slave, and after emancipation worked in the salt furnaces and coal mines of West Virginia (Harlan). W.E.B. Du Bois message was more radical then Washingtons, especially to black Southerners who were poorer and less educated than black Northerners. Dubois said Washingtons theory kept the black man down rather than freed him (Wormser.) Dubois believed that blacks should take advantage of the new rights and amendments that were passed in their favor to change society. Dubois believed in a widespread movement of blacks to vote and transform society and American politics. Unlike Washington, Dubois focused on having the same rights as whites, while Washington believed that blacks should accept discrimination and instead focus on economic independence. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois saw different things that impeded racial equality for blacks across the country. Washington was less hopeful about rapid change, and emphasized that change comes slowly. Dubois was more radical with his message, and altered and expanded on Washingtons beliefs. Washington believed that the biggest hindrance to racial equality was to focus on blacks being socially equal to whites. Washington says in his autobiography The wisest among my race understand that the agitation of questions of social equality is the extremist folly, and that progress...must be the result of severe and constant struggle rather than of artificial forcing (Washington, 222). Washington believed that blacks should worry only about providing for themselves and for their families, and gain respect from whites for their hard working attitude. Washington believed that people should not be concerned about social equality, because it created problems with both blacks and whites.

Washington goes on to say The opportunity to earn a dollar in a factory just now is worth infinitely more than the opportunity to spend a dollar in an opera house (Washington, 224). Washington did not want blacks challenging the social structure of that time because of the problems it would create. Since an opera embodies white viewers, Washington did not want blacks to spend a dollar they received from hard work, just to challenge social patterns. W.E.B. Dubois however had a different opinion about what could disrupt racial equality, and that was the power to vote. Dubois believed that many blacks and whites were not exercising their right to vote, and therefore were not changing the society they lived in. Dubois says that The power of the ballot we need in sheer defense, else what shall save us from a second slavery? (Dubois, ). Dubois believed that every male should vote, because he believed that everyone should participate actively in politics. He saw that many blacks were not voting, and that by not voting, representatives might be elected to office that did not reflect the views of blacks in his society. He believed that racial equality was solved by people voting for legislation, and if you did not vote, you were not participated actively in your democracy. Washington and Dubois believed in attaining racial equality for blacks, however their methods for doing so were shaped by their different pasts, and the environments that they operated in. At the time, Washingtons philosophy was considered moderately radical because he spoke openly about blacks rights. Today, society would view him as being a conservative about racial equality. One of the merits of his beliefs was that many Southern blacks could relate to a figure like Washington because he believed in a strong work ethic, and providing for yourself and for your family. Many sharecroppers or tenant farmers were not so concerned about politics, but more about getting food on the table. One of drawbacks was that he did not emphasize education for blacks, something that is a necessity today. Washington was shaped by his

environment: at that time there was no public schooling for black children, and it was expensive to go to college. Dubois philosophy is something that is more relatable to today. Dubois wanted all citizens of the United States to vote and to be active our democracy. In the Presidential election of 2008, 58% of eligible citizens voted, showing that Dubois message is still relevant. One of Dubois shortcomings was that he alienated people that would have been his supporters, from whites to other radicals. In the 1930s, Dubois had to resign from the NAACP because of his radical ideas. To many liberal whites, Dubois was too radical, and he consequently did not get their support. The views of both W.E.B. Dubois and Booker T. Washington differed from each other, however they still dealt with the issue of racial equality. Washingtons philosophy was more conservative, and focused mainly on southern blacks who supported themselves. W.E.B. Dubois message was more radical, about how blacks should vote, and participate in their democracy, and how education was a necessity for black children. Both thinkers were influenced by their back grounds, and both had an impact on the thinking of citizens in their day.

Works Cited Harlan, Louis, ed. docsouth.unc.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://docsouth.unc.edu/fpn/washington/bio.html>. pbs.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/race/etc/road.html>. Richard, Wormser, ed. pbs.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_people_dubois.html>. Wormser, Richard, ed. pbs.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_people_booker.html>.