The black community fought and struggled to obtain rights and privileges equal to that of white men. During the Reconstruction, blacks were first freed from slavery, ability to be considered American citizens, and finally granted the right to vote. .
Many black American activists became increasingly popular during this time period, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois were the most prominent. Both varied greatly in terms of ways to gain and retain rights as American citizens. Booker T. Washington, an ex-slave himself, believed black people needed to focus on improving their vocational skills as industrial workers and farmers. (Out of Many, 632) Washington felt that the black community should actively accept the alleged inferiority of Negroes. (Out of Many, 633) Washington preached that improving education amongst the black community, that Negroes could change how they are perceived in society. Washington also felt that blacks and whites could ultimately work together to improve society as a whole, he stated to attentive whites, "In all things that are purely social, we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress." (Out of Many, 632) W.E.B DuBois, on the other hand, opposed Washington's views and believed that African Americans must fight for the right to vote, obtain civic equality, and achieve higher education. (Out of Many, 633) DuBois preached that any discrimination based simply on race or color was barbarous, and that persistence, mainly agitation, was the only way to liberty. (Out of Many, 633) I agree with both leaders ideology, I feel the only way to obtain more rights is to improve yourself in order to be seen as an equal, then fight for more rights. I do not believe the forefathers would have mention the word "equal" in founding documents of this nation, if they truly believed not all should be equal. .
