What did booker t. washington and w. e. b. dubois agree on?

History · High School · Tue Nov 03 2020

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Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois were two prominent African American leaders in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who had different approaches to addressing the issues facing the African American community. Despite their differences, there were areas of agreement in their goals and beliefs:

1. Desire for African American Advancement:

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois both shared a common goal of promoting the advancement and well-being of the African American community. They were deeply committed to addressing the social, economic, and educational challenges faced by African Americans during a time of intense racial discrimination and segregation.

2. Opposition to Racial Discrimination:

  - Both Washington and Du Bois were staunch opponents of racial discrimination and segregation. They recognized the injustices faced by African Americans and worked towards dismantling systemic racism.

3. Emphasis on Education:

  - Both leaders placed a strong emphasis on the importance of education for African Americans. They believed that education was crucial for individual upliftment and for the progress of the entire African American community.

4. Advocacy for Civil Rights:

  - While they differed in their approaches, both Washington and Du Bois were advocates for civil rights. They sought to address issues such as voting rights, equal protection under the law, and the dismantling of discriminatory practices.

Despite these areas of agreement, it's important to note that Washington and Du Bois had fundamentally different strategies for achieving these common goals. Washington, known for his philosophy of accommodation and economic self-help, believed in focusing on vocational education and economic empowerment as a means to gain acceptance in society. Du Bois, on the other hand, advocated for a "Talented Tenth" approach, emphasizing the need for a college-educated leadership class to lead the struggle for civil rights and social equality. Their differing strategies led to a notable ideological divide known as the "Washington-Du Bois debate."