How did W.E.B. DuBois' philosophy differ from Booker T. Washington's? Which vision do you think better served African Americans at the time, and why was it better than the other vision?
Booker T. Washington has been one of my heroes, role models, and inspirations since I read his story in the Oak Meadow World History book two? years ago. I will send a link to that to you, and we'll read it in class. I don't know as much about W.E.B. Dubois though.
At first glance, I think Dubois was not helping his cause. HOWEVER, I thought I knew "about" Malcolm X. Then I read more and more and realized that my first impression was way off and I had only been exposed to part of the story. So, now, I will read more about Dubois, and form an educated opinion about the stand-off.
Fascinating how political spin infiltrates our media, when the media is supposed to provide our country with all the facts to be an educated population! If the CSA mockumentary had been provided to you by people you respect as real and truth not satire, would you have been swayed by it? Many would, just like in Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Russia. "No sane person would believe such nonsense," say American ideaologists!
It is very interesting to me that you should say this Amanda, because W.E.B. DuBois has been one of my heroes since I read The Souls of Black Folk. Here is a link to some of his more famous quotes from this book. http://www.fadedgiant.net/html/dubois_souls_black_folk_quotes.htm
What is not on the website is, “The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line.” I think that if you look back across the history of the 20th century this is completely true.
It amazes me that a man as educated and respected as DuBois suffered such personal tragedy because of the color of his skin. Perhaps this is what motivated him to speak out against Washington.
On the other hand, I may have become prejudiced against Washington by reading DuBois. For instance, I did not realize all of the work he did behind the scenes to fight lynching. Maybe because DuBois seemed prophetic to me, I ignored the good that Washington did. As historians, we should always try to think about the time we are studying, not just look at it from the perspective of today.
DuBois wanted to change the white oppression by having black people go to college, he focused on the political side of the fight against racial discrimination. Booker T. Washington Urged black people to better themselves in society by getting jobs and learning skills the would earn the respect of white people. I believe that the philosophy of DuBois would of been more effective back then because people who can get a political job and protest against the mistreatment of black people. However I do believe that what Booker T. Washington did was still important towards the respect and treatment of black people.
They say that booker was freed at the age of nine but i think Dubois had a longer time in enslavement, do you think Dubois might have had more experience in slavery?
Do you think that protesting might have made the situation worse back then? Do you think that it might have worked against them, making white American's dislike them even more?
To Jocelyn I meant protest as in having a job in congress and protesting through there job against the government. But that is still a good question that you asked and I do believe that the protesting black people did made the white people detest them even more.
To Gordon If it is indeed true that Booker was freed at the age of nine the DuBios did have more experience in slavery. I do support both of them and the ideals that they had.
Gordon DuBois was born in 1868 so was not subjected to slavery also he grew up in a non-prejudice town so was not subjected to that either. His first taste of segregation was at Harvard university with it s segregated bathrooms and dorms.
I see what Alden is saying about getting a good job with lots of influence but I agree more with Jocelyn. Even if you are in a position of power it would be hard to convince others with power even through protest to change things if the majority of your race appears uneducated.
Their philosophies differed in the way that they approached the situation. DuBois had the view that change should happen now compared to Washington's which was a more laid back approach by realizing things take time. I think Washington's vision worked better at the time. To me Washington seemed to understand what needed to be done before anything could change. Meaning he knew that in order for acceptance, people's perspectives would have to change. By going right out and immediately demanding equal rights he started with just being free and working from there. This I think worked well because there was still a lot of racism towards African Americans. Class really matter then. So having a majority of poor uneducated people and demanding equal rights when many were still upset/angry over the freedom from slavery would not have been as effective. So by working up to equal rights and improving life back then I think worked best by changing peoples point of view and overcoming the prejudice they were still facing.
I agree on everything you said. Do you think we can still relate the "slow changing acceptance" of things to life today? Do you find that there is some things that citizens are still strong minded with that needs to change?
Jocelyn, yes I think depending on the situation trying to be changed then taking it slow and opening people up to new ideas can be best even in today's life. Like in this situation people were still not used to the idea of no slavery. Now trying to propose right away that everyone no matter skin color should be equal. That probably actually frightened and angered people. So building up to it allowed time for people opinions to change and get used to it. I cant think of any examples in our life today that affects us the same way that needs to be changed, though I am sure there are some.
Booker T. Washingtons philosophy was to get blacks to work and to fit in with the black society, and to get a job and make a living. W.E.B Dubois' philosophy was to educate the blacks so it would be easier to get a job in literature or teaching, W.E.B Dubios also thought things could happen instantley as opposed to Washington who took things at a slower pace. I cannot decide wich one would be more important becuase both are so important together.
I agree that both are very important, especially together because it would have been working for to fix the cause in multiple ways. Do you think that Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois would have "understood" the reasoning behind each others actions if they ever had a chance to speak?
The way that the two men went at opposing segregation was very different. Booker T. Washington went about it by talking to large groups, trying to speak his way to peace. W. E. B. DuBois believed in protesting and agitation. Booker T. Washington seemed to talk about equality, while W. E. B DuBois seemed to focus more on supporting his race and bringing his race “higher up.” I think both ways were effective for helping the situation, with Booker T. Washington speaking about the cause, trying to fix it and W. E. B. DuBois actively working against the cause. At the time though, Booker T. Washington probably represented the race better because fighting and getting angry might have just worked against them.
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois had very different views on black right. Booker looked to bring the blacks to equality with the whites, not bring them above and beyond. DuBos was much more radical and was trying to bring the blacks up, he obviously had pent up rage against the whites, for enslavement. Booker did not ponder upon the past, he tried to right the present and the future.
I agree that they had different views but it was not greatly different. They both had some what similar ideas of right and wrong just had different ways of using their ideas. DeBois was more talk and Washington more action.
DuBois was very radical in his ideas but not always in his actions although he organized a few marches he did not DO anything really. Booker T. Washington however was level-headed in his actions and his words.
It seems that DeBois was very much all talk and no action. They may have had the same views but they were very different people. I agree with Amanda that Booker T. Washington was a great hero and I also agree with Jenny. DeBois had the right mind and many great ideas but he never seemed to quite get to them verses Washington who did many great things and was a respected man for his work.
I think that Booker and DuBois had similar things to say, they just interpersonal it in different ways. I did not find much to back up DuBois words with actions, but Booker backed up all of his words with actions from the story that Amanda read us the other day. Right now, I don't really know which standpoint was more effective for the Black people because I don't have enough to back up Dubois.I guess that I can say that DuBois philosophy was more of a "word" based philosophy and Bookers was more of a actions based philosophy.
Alexis, do you think your opinion would be different if DuBois had been presented in more of a factual story format such as with the one on Washington from class?
I'm pretty sure that Booker T. Washington wanted blacks to work harder, where as WEB Dubois wanted more education and in a way agreed with the whites. The philosophical difference between them was that Washington was trying to head for a more slower but effective approach as to where DuBoise wanted his rights at the moment. People who were following Washington got impatient and followed DuBoise, but in the long run, the way that Washington did his work was very much like Ghandi (very pacifist and effective) meanwhile DuBoise was just "ACT NOW" and in the long run, there were gonna be mistakes in the way he approached things.
DuBois and Booker T. Washington had two different actions. Booker T. Washington wanted blacks to be equality to whites. DuBois wanted to make blacks not equality to whites. I agree that Booker T. Washington wanted blacks to be equal to whites.
DuBois and Booker T. Washington did two different thing Dubois protested and wanted to make things better for blacks. Booker T. Washington wanted to make blacks equal to the whites I think that bothe of them were trying to make things better. But I like Booker T. Washington better just because he tryed to make blacks and white equal.
Booker T. Washington has been one of my heroes, role models, and inspirations since I read his story in the Oak Meadow World History book two? years ago. I will send a link to that to you, and we'll read it in class. I don't know as much about W.E.B. Dubois though.
ReplyDeleteAt first glance, I think Dubois was not helping his cause. HOWEVER, I thought I knew "about" Malcolm X. Then I read more and more and realized that my first impression was way off and I had only been exposed to part of the story. So, now, I will read more about Dubois, and form an educated opinion about the stand-off.
Fascinating how political spin infiltrates our media, when the media is supposed to provide our country with all the facts to be an educated population! If the CSA mockumentary had been provided to you by people you respect as real and truth not satire, would you have been swayed by it? Many would, just like in Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Russia. "No sane person would believe such nonsense," say American ideaologists!
It is very interesting to me that you should say this Amanda, because W.E.B. DuBois has been one of my heroes since I read The Souls of Black Folk. Here is a link to some of his more famous quotes from this book. http://www.fadedgiant.net/html/dubois_souls_black_folk_quotes.htm
DeleteWhat is not on the website is, “The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line.” I think that if you look back across the history of the 20th century this is completely true.
It amazes me that a man as educated and respected as DuBois suffered such personal tragedy because of the color of his skin. Perhaps this is what motivated him to speak out against Washington.
On the other hand, I may have become prejudiced against Washington by reading DuBois. For instance, I did not realize all of the work he did behind the scenes to fight lynching. Maybe because DuBois seemed prophetic to me, I ignored the good that Washington did. As historians, we should always try to think about the time we are studying, not just look at it from the perspective of today.
We did not learn alot about Dubois from the reading, how did he grow up, how was he educated?
DeleteDuBois wanted to change the white oppression by having black people go to college, he focused on the political side of the fight against racial discrimination. Booker T. Washington Urged black people to better themselves in society by getting jobs and learning skills the would earn the respect of white people. I believe that the philosophy of DuBois would of been more effective back then because people who can get a political job and protest against the mistreatment of black people. However I do believe that what Booker T. Washington did was still important towards the respect and treatment of black people.
ReplyDeleteThey say that booker was freed at the age of nine but i think Dubois had a longer time in enslavement, do you think Dubois might have had more experience in slavery?
DeleteDo you think that protesting might have made the situation worse back then? Do you think that it might have worked against them, making white American's dislike them even more?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteTo Jocelyn
DeleteI meant protest as in having a job in congress and protesting through there job against the government. But that is still a good question that you asked and I do believe that the protesting black people did made the white people detest them even more.
To Gordon
DeleteIf it is indeed true that Booker was freed at the age of nine the DuBios did have more experience in slavery. I do support both of them and the ideals that they had.
Gordon DuBois was born in 1868 so was not subjected to slavery also he grew up in a non-prejudice town so was not subjected to that either. His first taste of segregation was at Harvard university with it s segregated bathrooms and dorms.
DeleteI thought that DuBois was actually born free? Because he was born in 1868 and the emancipation proclamation was before that.
DeleteOh and thats why DuBois died in 1963 at 95 and Washington died in 1915 at 59.
DeleteI see what Alden is saying about getting a good job with lots of influence but I agree more with Jocelyn. Even if you are in a position of power it would be hard to convince others with power even through protest to change things if the majority of your race appears uneducated.
DeleteDubois probobly had more to say because he experenced little raceism and he did go to harverd
DeleteTheir philosophies differed in the way that they approached the situation. DuBois had the view that change should happen now compared to Washington's which was a more laid back approach by realizing things take time. I think Washington's vision worked better at the time. To me Washington seemed to understand what needed to be done before anything could change. Meaning he knew that in order for acceptance, people's perspectives would have to change. By going right out and immediately demanding equal rights he started with just being free and working from there. This I think worked well because there was still a lot of racism towards African Americans. Class really matter then. So having a majority of poor uneducated people and demanding equal rights when many were still upset/angry over the freedom from slavery would not have been as effective. So by working up to equal rights and improving life back then I think worked best by changing peoples point of view and overcoming the prejudice they were still facing.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think that Booker T Washington was so oposed to Dubois even though they have the same point of view but a different way of acting?
DeleteI agree on everything you said. Do you think we can still relate the "slow changing acceptance" of things to life today? Do you find that there is some things that citizens are still strong minded with that needs to change?
DeleteGordon what do you mean opposing DuBois? In what ways did he do that?
DeleteJocelyn, yes I think depending on the situation trying to be changed then taking it slow and opening people up to new ideas can be best even in today's life. Like in this situation people were still not used to the idea of no slavery. Now trying to propose right away that everyone no matter skin color should be equal. That probably actually frightened and angered people. So building up to it allowed time for people opinions to change and get used to it. I cant think of any examples in our life today that affects us the same way that needs to be changed, though I am sure there are some.
DeleteBooker T. Washingtons philosophy was to get blacks to work and to fit in with the black society, and to get a job and make a living. W.E.B Dubois' philosophy was to educate the blacks so it would be easier to get a job in literature or teaching, W.E.B Dubios also thought things could happen instantley as opposed to Washington who took things at a slower pace. I cannot decide wich one would be more important becuase both are so important together.
ReplyDeleteI agree that both are very important, especially together because it would have been working for to fix the cause in multiple ways. Do you think that Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois would have "understood" the reasoning behind each others actions if they ever had a chance to speak?
DeleteWhich person do you think was more influential to black people at the time? Which person do you think did more good to earn rights for black people?
DeleteThe way that the two men went at opposing segregation was very different. Booker T. Washington went about it by talking to large groups, trying to speak his way to peace. W. E. B. DuBois believed in protesting and agitation. Booker T. Washington seemed to talk about equality, while W. E. B DuBois seemed to focus more on supporting his race and bringing his race “higher up.” I think both ways were effective for helping the situation, with Booker T. Washington speaking about the cause, trying to fix it and W. E. B. DuBois actively working against the cause. At the time though, Booker T. Washington probably represented the race better because fighting and getting angry might have just worked against them.
ReplyDeleteBooker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois had very different views on black right. Booker looked to bring the blacks to equality with the whites, not bring them above and beyond. DuBos was much more radical and was trying to bring the blacks up, he obviously had pent up rage against the whites, for enslavement. Booker did not ponder upon the past, he tried to right the present and the future.
ReplyDeleteI agree that they had different views but it was not greatly different. They both had some what similar ideas of right and wrong just had different ways of using their ideas. DeBois was more talk and Washington more action.
DeleteDuBois was very radical in his ideas but not always in his actions although he organized a few marches he did not DO anything really. Booker T. Washington however was level-headed in his actions and his words.
ReplyDeleteI agree very much and your ideas are a lot like mine. It seems that Washington had more action in his words.
DeleteCan you give us an example of one of his ideas?
DeleteIt seems that DeBois was very much all talk and no action. They may have had the same views but they were very different people. I agree with Amanda that Booker T. Washington was a great hero and I also agree with Jenny. DeBois had the right mind and many great ideas but he never seemed to quite get to them verses Washington who did many great things and was a respected man for his work.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think Washington was more respected?
DeleteI think that Booker and DuBois had similar things to say, they just interpersonal it in different ways. I did not find much to back up DuBois words with actions, but Booker backed up all of his words with actions from the story that Amanda read us the other day. Right now, I don't really know which standpoint was more effective for the Black people because I don't have enough to back up Dubois.I guess that I can say that DuBois philosophy was more of a "word" based philosophy and Bookers was more of a actions based philosophy.
ReplyDeleteAlexis, do you think your opinion would be different if DuBois had been presented in more of a factual story format such as with the one on Washington from class?
DeleteI think it would change my opinion drastically, it would give me more information on his actions so I would be able to compare them more thoroughly.
DeleteI'm pretty sure that Booker T. Washington wanted blacks to work harder, where as WEB Dubois wanted more education and in a way agreed with the whites.
ReplyDeleteThe philosophical difference between them was that Washington was trying to head for a more slower but effective approach as to where DuBoise wanted his rights at the moment. People who were following Washington got impatient and followed DuBoise, but in the long run, the way that Washington did his work was very much like Ghandi (very pacifist and effective) meanwhile DuBoise was just "ACT NOW" and in the long run, there were gonna be mistakes in the way he approached things.
yes Booker pushed to get them to work hard to show they could accomplish the same as the white people.
DeleteDuBois and Booker T. Washington had two different actions. Booker T. Washington wanted blacks to be equality to whites. DuBois wanted to make blacks not equality to whites. I agree that Booker T. Washington wanted blacks to be equal to whites.
ReplyDeleteI don't get what you are trying to say because you don't really have an opinionated pice but I agree by saying I like Booker more.
DeleteDuBois and Booker T. Washington did two different thing Dubois protested and wanted to make things better for blacks. Booker T. Washington wanted to make blacks equal to the whites I think that bothe of them were trying to make things better. But I like Booker T. Washington better just because he tryed to make blacks and white equal.
ReplyDelete