Booker T Washington and W.E.B Du Bois Essay Example

Booker T. Washington vs. W.E.B Du Bois In the late 19th century and early 20th century, in the era of segregation, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du bois had conflicting views to improve the black community. Booker T. Washington’s speech in 1895 at the Atlanta Cotton States and the International Exposition was about praising the south on improvements the whites have made for the blacks in the south. W.E.B Du Bois in 1903 boldly shares his opinions of Booker T. Washington and felt Washington held the black community from opportunities of excelling. Booker T. Washington was a passive civil rights activist whereas Du bois believed in a more active approach for the fight of equality. Both leaders were trying to defeat racism and were fighting for equality the best way they felt fit. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois were leader of the late 19th century early 20th century was racism and segregation was heavily present. Jim Crow laws were created to allow segregation to be present. In the Jim Crow era black and whites when to separate school drank from different water fountains and so forth. The idea was “separate but equal” but separate was really not equal black facilities were not of equal value of white facilities. At the time Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du bois slavery has expired but blacks were still inferiors to the white race. They lacked certain rights such as the right to vote or own property. Looking back at the writing that is presented to us by Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du bois it is possible that we can’t quite fathom the history. But leaders such as Washington and Du bois ought to be praised more often. They have allowed blacks to live a more comfortable life where racism, although still alive today, is only is seen subtlety. Booker T. Washington was a wise man and was favored among the whites because he didn’t pressure reform of racial equality like many other black activist of