W.E.

B Dubois and Booker T Washington

Two of the most influential people in the fight for civil rights were
Booker T Washington and W.E.B Dubois. Washington believed the way
to reach racial equality was to have equal economic rights to whites.
Dubois believed black people needed to command the respect of white
people, not succumb to it, and most of all. He wanted political rights
(voting rights). With the issues of today, Duboiss methods are most
applicable today because they focus more on standing up for yourself
than legal rights.
Washingtons idea of how to get equality was to have the same
economic power as whites. He believed blacks should have a strong
source of income and the ability to work fairly beside any white man.
The ability to earn a dollar in a factory just now is worth infinitely
more than the opportunity to spend a dollar in an opera-house. When
Washington says this he means earning money is going to get you
further than spending it. Dubois thought the way to get equality was to
have black people stand up for what they believe in and command the
respect of others, because respect will not be given unless its asked
for. He also thought political power was important because who people
vote for is deciding their future, ha says We have no right to sit
silently by. Meaning its their duty to make sure they get what theyre
asking for.

Both men were also aware of the impediments to gaining equality.

Dubois thought the greatest impediment was political inequality, he
thought as long as you couldnt help decide the future of your nation,
you had no freedom. Washington thought the greatest impediment was
economic inequality, he said, we shall prosper in proportion as we
learn to dignify and glorify common labor. Meaning working will do
good things such as help support families. Because Dubois thought
Washington was being ignorant about how to handle the situation he
said, (Washington) does not rightly value the privilege and duty of
voting.
Even though both men had different perspectives, they each had
different merits and shortcomings to their views. Washington realized
the importance of being able to earn a living fairly, and he also knew
that creating conflict was not going to solve any issues. But as Dubois
points out, he contradicts himself three times; first, you cannot defend
your rights without the right of suffrage. Second, Washington insists on
self-respect but counsels blacks to submit to civic inferiority. And third,
insists on having only common school, but the teachers that teach that
would not be able to teach without a degree. On the other hand,
Dubois knew that you could not get anything done if you did not fight
for it. He also knew that voting was important because youll always
need a representative to give voice to your opinions. But he seemed to

have too much resentment towards white southerners to reach any

agreements.
In the context of todays issues, Duboiss way of thinking would
probably work best for resolving the issues, because it isnt so much
legal rights people need now, but social acceptance.

SOURCES:
1. www.bartleby.com
2. www.alcyone.com
3. www.pbs.org