Washington Vs. Dubois

As early advocates of the civil rights movement, both W.E.B Du Bois and Booker T. Washington offered new strategies for achieving solutions to the discrimination faced by black men and women in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Although both men strived to achieve the same goal, their proposed methods of gaining social, political, and economic equality for blacks contradicted each other. Washington offered civil and industrial ideas towards the white population, whereas Du Bois’ approach is a more radical opposition to white supremacy.

Du Bois urged African Americans to become involved in politics, as gaining political power would prevent blacks from falling behind, because as it is stated in Document I: “When the negro found himself deprived of influence and politics, therefore, and at the same time unprepared to participate in the higher functions in the industrial development which this country began to undergo, it soon became evident to him that he was losing ground in the basic things of life. Du Bois then directly challenges Washington in saying “They do not expect that the free right to vote, to enjoy civic rights, and to be educated will come in a moment, they do not expect to see the bias and prejudices of years disappear at the blast of a trumpet, but they are absolutely certain that the way for a people to gain their reasonable rights is not by voluntarily throwing them away and insisting they do not want them” (Document E). In another speech, Du Bois criticizes the democratic government and goes on to explain, “the principles of democratic government are losing ground, and caste distinctions are growing in all directions” and follows this statement with “We must complain. Yes, plain, blunt complain, ceaseless agitation, unfailing exposure of dishonesty and wrong” (Document F). Du Bois’ arguing was unfavorable among white politicians and the effectiveness would soon decrease, but Washington’s tactics of avoiding political involvement neither promoted nor caused damage to the black population.

In 1880, around 60% of whites were enrolled in school while roughly 30% of blacks were enrolled at that time, which was still a huge improvement since 1860, when no blacks were enrolled (Document A). Although there was clear improvement over several decades, the black enrollment is still about half that of the white enrollment. This contributes to why the illiteracy rate of the black population was nearly six times as high as whites in 1890 (Document B). Both Washington and Du Bois recognized the gap between the races, but took different approaches on how to solve the issue.

Washington believed that if blacks focused on striving economically, they would eventually be given the rights they deserved. Washington encouraged developing trades and schools like the Tuskegee Institute of Alabama and not wasting time on teaching irrelevant subjects that could not help a black person economically.