3-4-paragraph essay comparing and evaluating the impact of two progressive leaders, W.E.B. DuBois & Booker T. Washington.
*Please include a reference list (a list of your sources you used for research).
W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington were two prominent African American leaders during the Progressive Era who advocated for racial equality and civil rights for African Americans. While both had similar goals, their approaches and philosophies differed significantly.
Booker T. Washington believed in a more gradual and incremental approach to achieving racial equality. He focused on acquiring vocational skills and education for African Americans, believing that economic success would eventually lead to societal acceptance and respect. Washington advocated for self-reliance and economic independence as a means to uplift the African American community. His famous speech at the Atlanta Exposition in 1895, where he called for African Americans to "cast down your bucket where you are," emphasized the importance of working within the existing social and economic structures.
On the other hand, W.E.B. DuBois took a more radical and confrontational approach to fighting for civil rights. He co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909 and became the editor of its magazine, The Crisis. DuBois believed in the importance of political action, education, and intellectual advancement for African Americans. He criticized Washington's accommodationist approach and instead called for immediate social and political equality for African Americans. His famous concept of the "Talented Tenth" argued that African Americans needed to be educated and empowered in order to lead their community to equality.
In evaluating the impact of both leaders, it is clear that they made significant contributions to the advancement of civil rights for African Americans. Washington's emphasis on education and economic empowerment helped to create opportunities for African Americans to improve their lives and gain respect within society. However, DuBois's more confrontational and political approach also had a lasting impact, inspiring a new generation of activists to fight for equality and justice. Both leaders played a crucial role in shaping the civil rights movement and paving the way for future progress.
References:
1. "Booker T. Washington." Biography.com, A&E Television Networks, 25 Mar. 2021, www.biography.com/scholar/booker-t-washington.
2. "W.E.B. Du Bois." Biography.com, A&E Television Networks, 2 Jun. 2021, www.biography.com/scholar/w-e-b-du-bois.