Compare And Contrast Booker T. Vs. W. E. B. Dubois

Booker T. Vs. W.E.B. DuBois

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois were both prominent figures in the African American Community following radical reconstruction. Although they were both very powerful members of the African American community, they held polar opposite views. Booker T. believed that if Blacks formed a strong work force and became essential to the Southern economy, that whites would have no choice but to give equal rights and equal respect to them. W.E.B. DuBois on the other hand believed that Blacks should fight for voting rights and from there make changes via politics. Another way these two varied is in the way they hoped to promote change. While Booker T. hoped to create change by African Americans assimilating into white society, and becoming a vital part of their world, DuBois wanted Blacks to virtually push their way into society. DuBois, demanded that black be given civil liberties, the right to vote, and education to all Blacks. Instead of demanding, Booker T. believed if Blacks helped themselves as much as possible they
Washington’s approach appealed more to wealthy blacks, as well as the majority of the white population. More radical whites and poorer blacks sided with DuBois. This divide in the African American population happened because DuBois’s program meant that poor blacks did not have to work as hard to gain rights, and for the wealthy blacks they would face less opposition from whites if they sided with Booker T. Washington since they wouldn’t need to protest for equal rights, it would come to them when the African American community became worthy of it. Radical Whites who believed in equality for all naturally sided with DuBois since he believed Blacks shouldn’t have to fight for civil liberties already promised to them. The majority of whites sided with Booker T. Washington since his plan was more conservative and provided to blacks over a longer time span while DuBois’s plan demanded immediate