W. E. B Dubois Pursuit Of Higher Education

W.E.B Du Bois advocated for the pursuit of a higher education being the main focus for African Americans. However, Booker T Washington supported the idea of vocational institutions and the practicality of job/skill training. More often than not, individuals who decide to go to trade schools instead of pursing careers that require a higher education are looked down upon. They're seen as "taking the easy way out," if you will. But that is simply not the case. This argument can go two ways. One is that many people, African Americans especially in this day and age often do not have access to opportunities that allow them to even attempt to "better themselves" with a higher education (B.A./B.S. or PhD/MD). It is because of this that they are forced into the vocational training route.
It is not their fault though.
The blame should be placed on today's society and the idea that only those who can afford schooling should actually go for it. They are at this great disadvantage by not being given equal opportunities. The other argument would be that these people who chose the trade school route aren't taking the easy way out but merely following their self determined pursuit of happiness. You can be happy in a profession that falls under a trade without bothering with an undergraduate or even graduate degree. They should have the power to choose what they do with their careers and what they make of themselves. Personally, I agree with Du Bois and the pursuit of a higher education for African Americans (and all individuals really) being the best option, with the exception that they would all need to have equal access to such. By the standards of modern living in order to get ahead in life you need a degree to get a decent paying job. The workforce is extremely competitive and everyone should have a chance to make a good life for
themselves.