Booker T. Washington was born a slave in 1856. However, after the civil war, he was freed. Booker then attended both, Wayland Seminary and Hampton University. His beliefs were that African Americans should make have an economic focus. The reason is so they can prove their value by their work rather than a focus and desire for civil rights. In a 1895 speech, he stated: "We can be as separate as the fingers yet one as the hand". His belief and perspective on the matter enraged many African Americans. They believed that his focus was only to benefit and help the wealthy Caucasian instead of his own. May spoke against his belief, …show more content…
including William Edward Burghardt Du Bois.
William Edward Burghardt Du Bois also knew as W.E.B Du Bois was born on February 23, 1868. He was well educated that he was the first African American to obtain a Ph.D. from Harvard University. However, he suffered racism first hand, which caused him to believe that racism was a problem in their community. Therefore, he became a civil rights activist. He protested for rights, and lynching and became the editor of the NAACP. He helped African Americans to think for themselves and not tolerate mistreatment.
Booker T.
Washington and William Edward Burghardt Du Bois ideas and work impacted in the fight for equality. In Booker T. Washington's case, he affects the short term fight. Although education is very important the majority of his community would be fed up with the racism that they would just give up. African Americans wanted to be equal in America. However, Washington's idea benefited and accommodated more of the Caucasian community than his own race. While W.E.B Du Bois affected the long term fight. he encouraged people to fight for their rights and stand up for themselves. Civil right moment evolving is what led to the end of segregation because many carried out the work after W.E.B Du
Bois.
Both men ideas were formed due to their surrounds, they grew up in. Regardless, of the dissimilar ideas each had for their community, they shared a common goal. That goal was to advance the African American race. These two influential leaders emerge in this fight. Their names were Booker T. Washington and William Edward Burghardt Du Bois. They were not only leaders of their people but the beginning of equality of America.