Max Foley-Keene

Brooker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois Essay

Brooker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois had very differing views on creating racial equality in the United States, Washington believing that blacks should work to acquire economic freedom and a greater education while DuBois believed that only the vote could save them from a second slavery. Washington had the better solution to the issue; if blacks could show whites that they could be valuable members of the workforce, while still experiencing segregation, they would win the respect of whites, which would then lead to them getting civil rights. DuBois solution of forcing black suffrage down the white populations throat, a white population that hadnt gotten used to blacks being free, would only end in anger and violence. Washington developed a solution to end racial inequality in the United States that solves the problem from the ground up, starting with the respect of the general white population, and leading to more civil rights laws passed by the lawmakers. On the other hand, DuBois had a solution that solved the problem from the top down, with lawmakers forcing legislation that would only confuse and anger a white population that was already confused and angry. Brooker T. Washington philosophy was one of economic independence and education for the African American race. Author Earl Thorpe described it as the first positive [philosophy] that the masses of Negroes in America ever had. Washington believed that African Americans must be taught farming and industrial skills so they could be valuable members of the workforce. He thought that this would allow the African American population to gain respect from the whites, and be, fully accepted as citizens and integrated into all strata of society (PBS). Washington wanted African Americans to realize it wasnt disgraceful or embarrassing to labor, saying that labor brought independence and self

reliance as well as the joy that came with doing something that the world wants done (Washington). He believed that the greatest impediment to freedom is African Americans forgetting, the fact that the masses of [African Americans] are to live by the production of our own hands (Washington, Up From Slavery, pg 219-224). Washington believed in economic freedom for African Americans. W.E.B DuBois had a philosophy on racial equality for African Americans that centered on the vote for African Americans. He believed in a more political approach to racial inequality. He had a focus on civil rights; in fact he helped found the NAACP, one of the biggest civil rights organizations in America. He thought that a group of ten educated African Americans called the Talented Tenth, could create social and political change (PBS). He believed that almost everything came with the right to vote, writing with the vote goes everything: freedom, manhood, the honor of our wives, the chastity of our daughters, the right to work, and the chance to rise (DuBois, pg 249-251). He also believed in more formal education for African American children that wasnt as centered around labor. Unlike Washington, he didnt want to accept segregation; he wanted it ended (DuBois, pg 249-251). He believed that the biggest impediment to freedom for the African American race was the continuation of racism and segregation in America (PBS). DuBois believed in civil action and the vote for African Americans. There are merits as well as problems in both of the plans. DuBois plan does a good job of trying to avoid a recurrence of slavery; it tries to give more rights to African Americans immediately and doesnt rely on the white population to give African Americans economic independence. On the other hand, it tries to force equality down the throat of a white population that isnt ready to accept blacks being equal members of their society yet. It also relies on the more educated sect of the African American population to make decisions, not giving everyone a voice. Washingtons plan

makes it so that blacks gain respect in the workforce before making them completely equal members of society. It is more representative to all African Americans, not just the educated ones. It does have some issues, though. It relies on whites to allow blacks to enter the workforce, and makes blacks go through segregation for a while before being treated equally. Ida Wells-Barnett, one of Washingtons critics believes that Washingtons system of labor education is narrow minded, writing that [racial inequality] is to big of a problem to be settled within the narrow confines of a single system of education. There are major merits and problems to both of the problems. Although there are useful parts to both arguments, Washingtons argument is the better one. Even though African Americans would have to experience segregation for a while, it is much more important for them to become an important part of the workforce, and give the white population time to accept and respect them. With an accepting white population, the transition to black suffrage would be much smoother. DuBois approach is much more elitist, with only those with a background in education in power. It also doesnt recognize the power the white population has. If the white population became upset because they felt like blacks werent deserving of the vote and other civil rights, they could become violent, or try to create laws that would seem racially equal but actually stop blacks from voting. In general, Brooker T. Washington has the better plan to create racial equality in America.

Works Cited Brooker T. and W.E.B: The Two Nations of Black America. PBS.org. Public Broadcasting Station, n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/race/etc/road.html>. DuBois, W.E.B. Autobiography. New York: International Publishing, 1970. Print. Thrope, Earl. The Mind of the Negro: An Intellectual History of AfroAmericans. Baton Rouge: Ortlieb Press, 1961. Print. Washington, Brooker T. Up From Slavery, An Autobiography. New York: Doubleday, 1895. Print. Wells-Barnett, Ida. The Negro Problem for the Negro Point of View. World Today: n. pag. Print.