Asked by Michelle Schneider on May 17, 2024
Verified
Compare and contrast the approaches of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. Who, in your opinion, was more progressive, and why?
Booker T. Washington
An influential African American educator, author, and orator in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who advocated for the economic and academic uplift of Black people.
W.E.B. Du Bois
An influential African-American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist known for his leadership in the Niagara Movement and co-founding the NAACP.
Progressive
Relating to or advocating progress, change, or reform, especially in social or political matters.
- Elucidate the historical advancement of civil rights and campaigns for social justice, highlighting the struggle for the right to vote and oppositions to segregation.
- Determine and clarify the impact made by prominent figures and organizations on progressive movements and changes.
Verified Answer
CS
Caswell ShikoMay 24, 2024
Final Answer :
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois were two prominent African American leaders who had different approaches to addressing the issues facing the African American community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Booker T. Washington believed in a gradual approach to achieving equality for African Americans. He emphasized vocational education and economic self-sufficiency as the key to progress. He believed that African Americans should focus on acquiring practical skills and proving their worth through hard work and economic success. Washington also believed in accommodation and cooperation with white society, and he was willing to accept segregation and disenfranchisement in the short term in exchange for economic opportunities and the chance to prove themselves as valuable members of society.
On the other hand, W.E.B. Du Bois took a more radical and confrontational approach. He believed in the importance of higher education and intellectual development for African Americans, and he advocated for full political and social rights. Du Bois was a co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and used his platform to fight for civil rights and equality through legal and political means. He rejected Washington's accommodationist approach and called for immediate and aggressive action to achieve equality.
In my opinion, W.E.B. Du Bois was more progressive than Booker T. Washington. While Washington's emphasis on economic self-sufficiency and cooperation with white society had its merits, it ultimately perpetuated the status quo of segregation and disenfranchisement. Du Bois, on the other hand, recognized the need for immediate and comprehensive change and actively worked towards achieving civil rights and equality for African Americans. His confrontational approach and advocacy for full political and social rights laid the groundwork for the civil rights movement and ultimately led to greater progress for the African American community.
Booker T. Washington believed in a gradual approach to achieving equality for African Americans. He emphasized vocational education and economic self-sufficiency as the key to progress. He believed that African Americans should focus on acquiring practical skills and proving their worth through hard work and economic success. Washington also believed in accommodation and cooperation with white society, and he was willing to accept segregation and disenfranchisement in the short term in exchange for economic opportunities and the chance to prove themselves as valuable members of society.
On the other hand, W.E.B. Du Bois took a more radical and confrontational approach. He believed in the importance of higher education and intellectual development for African Americans, and he advocated for full political and social rights. Du Bois was a co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and used his platform to fight for civil rights and equality through legal and political means. He rejected Washington's accommodationist approach and called for immediate and aggressive action to achieve equality.
In my opinion, W.E.B. Du Bois was more progressive than Booker T. Washington. While Washington's emphasis on economic self-sufficiency and cooperation with white society had its merits, it ultimately perpetuated the status quo of segregation and disenfranchisement. Du Bois, on the other hand, recognized the need for immediate and comprehensive change and actively worked towards achieving civil rights and equality for African Americans. His confrontational approach and advocacy for full political and social rights laid the groundwork for the civil rights movement and ultimately led to greater progress for the African American community.
Learning Objectives
- Elucidate the historical advancement of civil rights and campaigns for social justice, highlighting the struggle for the right to vote and oppositions to segregation.
- Determine and clarify the impact made by prominent figures and organizations on progressive movements and changes.