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Comparison of W.E.B. Dubois and Booker T. Washington

 

             Dubois were two very important civil rights leaders in the late 1800's to early 1900's with common goals, but different ways of achieving them. Booker T. Washington was a little more patient in his philosophy. He wanted African Americans to quiet down about all the equal rights arguments. He called out whites to open up jobs for African Americans. To African Americans, Washington asked that the demands for equality and civil rights cease. Washington believed that if the African Americans worked hard in these jobs, and proved themselves useful, equality would come naturally. Washington's ideas were a whole lot more popular with the whites than they were with the African American community. Whites, especially southern whites, loved Washington's ideology because it seemed to keep African Americans at an inferior status. .
             W.E.B. Dubois had a much different philosophy. He felt that African Americans shouldn't put up with being considered inferior any longer. Dubois believed that persistent agitation, political action, and academic education was the best way for African Americans to obtain equal rights. Dubois put a lot of emphasis on his "Talented Tenth". He believed African American leadership should come from well educated African Americans (talented tenth). While Dubois" ideas were more popular with the African American Community than Washington, he was often accused of elitism due to favoring of highly educated African Americans.
             I tend to agree more with Washington's philosophy. Demanding something is not the way to get it. It is true that they way African Americans where treated was very wrong, but I feel that many times its best to play the hand you"re dealt. I don't believe that anyone should have to earn equality, but there were a lot of white people with crooked views back then, and simply demanding something to be done about it wasn't going to change their minds. I know when I feel strongly about a situation, somebody has to prove me wrong.


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