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Washington and W.EB. DuBois.

Washington and Du Bois were known African American influential leaders during the

late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were determined at addressing the plight of African

Americans post-emancipation, though their approach and philosophy differed significantly in

terms of ideology and tactics involved in addressing these grievances. The three significant

contentions issues addressed by the philosophers include a definite approach to African

American education and economic growth, social and political equality and addressing racial

injustices existing among the people.

The attributes outlined by Washington on education and economic growth differ

significantly from those addressed by Du Bois. His focus was based on the “Atlanta Exposition

address” and the general philosophy. His focus was on exploring the educational needs and

economic attributes as opposed to political factors. On the attributes of economics, his focus was

on economic resilience, which he believed would be achieved through the use of vocational

education and the accumulation of wealth. Such attributes would warrant the African Americans

the respect and progress they deserved in the community. To achieve all these attributes, they
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had to focus on hard work, self-reliance and empowering the rural farmers to start small-scale

businesses on their farms. He encouraged African American to abandon political power, fight for

higher education, civil rights and focus on achieving industrial education, wealth and conciliation

of the South (Washington 13).

Du Bois, on the other hand, focused on propagating the need for a classical liberal form

of education that encompassed access to higher education. He believed that the "talented tenth"

or moulding leaders would be the key towards fighting for their rights, such as high social status

and civil rights (Du Bois 7). He equally believed that African Americans should not only focus

on industrial education but also classical education. He says, “From the very first it has been the

educated and intelligent of the negro people that have led and elevated the mass" (Du Bois 7). He

believed the respect would not only be accorded through the respective fields of trade but also

the study of liberal arts.

Washington was more preservative in his approach towards advocating for African

American plight in social, economic and political equality. He focused on a more

accommodative approach that allowed the African American to work along the harsh policies,

segregation and injustices of the whites with the focus on hard work and resilience as a means of

demonstrating their values, which eventually would lead to breaking the social challenges and

achieving a higher social, economic states that would serve as the elements of political influence

“they cooperate with Mr. Washington as far as they conscientiously can; and, indeed, it is no

ordinary tribute to this man’s tact and power that, steering as he must between so many diverse

interest and opinions, he so largely retains the respect of all". He felt that the aggression sorted

by Du Bois would often upset the white southerners.

Du Bois strongly opposed the mechanics and thought employed by Washington in

achieving social and political equality that was focused on working under the laws of segregation

and disenfranchisement. He advocated for the use of activism in fighting for civil rights such as

voting rights and political representation, actively protesting against the existing racial injustices

subjected to African Americans. His struggle was built on the belief that accessing voting rights

and political representation was the only means of securing their rights and effectively improving

their social and economic conditions. On one occasion, while replying to Washington, he states,

"he is trying nobly to make Negro artisans, businessmen, and property owners; but it is utterly

impossible, under modern competitive methods, for workingmen and property owners to defend

their rights and exist without the right of suffrage" (Du Bois 4). He is convinced that the only

way for African American to defend themselves from oppression is through achieving voting

rights.

Washington's methods of addressing racial injustices were considered a gradual and non-

confrontational approach toward fighting for African American equality rights. It was mainly in

the attributes of racial solidarity, accommodation and self-help. “it has been claimed that the

Negro can survive only through submission” (Washington 13). His primary influence mainly

was seen behind the scenes, focused on making small advances for the plight of African

American and seeking equal support from white philanthropists and industrialists to aid their

course. He believed that African Americans had to preserve the existing discrimination, humble

themselves and focus on uplifting themselves through their work experience and prosperity that

would make them fully considered citizens. During his speech at the Cotton State and

International Exposition in Atlanta, he calls on the blacks to work on liberating themselves

economically and seize from requesting their civil rights. He states, “Ignorant and inexperienced,
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it is not strange that in the first years of our new life, we began at the top instead of at the

bottom; that a seat in Congress or the state legislature was more sought than real estate or

industrial skill; that the political conversation or stump speaking had more attractions than

starting a dairy farm or truck garden" (Washington 12). This speech aimed at sustaining the

existing oppression in terms of civil rights and continuing work on their farms to establish their

unique communities.

Du Bois's method was more provocative against the whites in demand for African

American rights and opposed Washington's methods. He focused on a more direct approach and

public stance against the existing racial injustices among the people that included political

actions. In his exceptional letter, "Address to the Nations of the World," he demands political

independence and fight against racism. His approach was evidenced by the massive use of

protests and opposing every component associated with racial discrimination. In addition, he was

the founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which

focused on stimulating the legal rights of African Americans and emphasizing the importance of

political rights for the African American population (Du Bois 4). His belief was rooted deeply in

the African belief that accepting discrimination was a means of increasing white oppression and

influence over the African American population and that achieving social change would

necessitate active advocacy for their rights.

In conclusion, Booker T. Washington and W.EB. DuBois are known for their significant

efforts towards fighting for African American rights and their plight against the existing

oppression of whites. Both used different conflicting approaches towards their fight based on

their ideology and principles. Among the significant contemporary issues addressed by the two

include economic growth and education, social and political equality and the various means of
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fighting the existing inequalities. T Washington was more preservative in his approach to

addressing the challenges of African Americans, such as using non-confrontational tactics in

addressing existing racial injustices, asking the African Americans to work alongside segregation

with a focus on self-proclamation on the basis of acquiring wealth and being integrated as part of

the population which were long term approaches. In contrast, Du Bois focused on immediate and

more assertive approaches such as the use of higher education, protest, need for demanding

political rights such as voting and representation as tools to make them equal and end

segregation. Such attributes are a clear reflection of the conflicting strategies used by African

American in the 20th century to enhance their society and better their lives.
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Work Cited

Du Bois, William Edward Burghardt, et al. "Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others." Souls of

Black Folk. Routledge, 2015. 23–32.

Washington, Booker T. "The Atlanta exposition address." Capitalism vs. Collectivism: The

Colonial Era to 1945. Routledge, 2013. 58–68.