Write out your paper:
comparing and contrasting the views and goals of Washington and Dubois
A. Introduction (3-5 sentences)
B. Background information on Washington and DuBois (5 sentences)
C. How Washington and DuBois's views were SIMILAR (5 sentences)
D. How Washington and DuBois's views were DIFFERENT (5 sentences)
E. conclusion (3-5 sentences)
A. Introduction:
The views and goals of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, two prominent African American leaders in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, played crucial roles in shaping the sociopolitical landscape of the United States. While both fought for the rights and advancement of the African American community, they differed in their approach and objectives. This paper aims to analyze and compare the views and goals of Washington and Du Bois, highlighting their similarities and differences.
B. Background information on Washington and Du Bois:
Booker T. Washington, born into slavery in 1856, was an advocate for the rights of African Americans and a leading figure in the post-Civil War era known as the Reconstruction period. He founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, which focused on vocational education and economic self-sufficiency for African Americans. On the other hand, W.E.B. Du Bois, born in 1868, was a sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist who became the first African American to earn a PhD from Harvard University. Du Bois was a co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and believed in intellectual and political equality for African Americans.
C. How Washington and DuBois's views were SIMILAR:
Despite their differences, Washington and Du Bois shared several common views. Both men agreed on the need for educational opportunities for African Americans. Washington's emphasis on vocational training and practical skills aligned with Du Bois's belief that education was essential for African Americans to break free from poverty and discrimination. Both leaders also aimed to improve the economic conditions of African Americans, as they recognized that economic empowerment was key to achieving social equality. Additionally, Washington and Du Bois acknowledged the importance of civil rights and fought against racial injustice, although their strategies varied significantly.
D. How Washington and DuBois's views were DIFFERENT:
One of the key differences between Washington and Du Bois was their approach towards achieving racial equality. Washington believed in a gradualist approach, advocating for African Americans to focus on building economic independence and to accept temporary racial segregation. He believed that by proving their economic value, African Americans would eventually gain social and political equality. On the other hand, Du Bois rejected Washington's accommodationist approach and instead demanded immediate political rights and social equality. He argued that education alone wouldn't eradicate discrimination and that African Americans needed to challenge racial injustice through direct political action.
Additionally, Washington and Du Bois had contrasting views on racial uplift and leadership. Washington believed in the idea of racial uplift through hard work and self-help, urging African Americans to prove themselves to white society. He emphasized the importance of industrial education and practical skills that would make African Americans valuable to the labor market. Conversely, Du Bois believed in the importance of cultivating a class of intellectual and professional African American elites who would lead the fight for racial equality. He saw education not only as a means for economic empowerment but also as a way to produce leaders who could challenge systemic racism.
E. Conclusion:
In conclusion, while Washington and Du Bois shared common goals of improving the status of African Americans and fighting racial injustice, they had contrasting views on how to achieve these objectives. Washington advocated for economic self-sufficiency and accommodation, believing that African Americans should prove their worth to the white society through hard work and vocational training. Du Bois, on the other hand, rejected the notion of accepting racial segregation and demanded immediate political rights and social equality. Ultimately, both leaders played vital roles in the African American civil rights movement, contributing to the broader struggle for racial equality in the United States.