The 19th century was known for immense change and prosperity concerning African Americans in the United States. The reformation, often known as the Progressive Era was associated with annihilating the corruption and control of the government, as well as promoting social revolution. Furthermore, the Progressive Era acted as an essential factor for racial disparity in the African American population. Two of the most influential reformers for racial equality of African Americans were, Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois. Both chose very different methods in establishing change for African Americans. Before racial reforms were implemented, African Americans and Caucasians were entirely segregated from each other because of Jim Crow laws.
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He believed that African Americans should focus on gradually improving their moral and industrial abilities before developing a higher education. The justification for his belief presumably came from his background in the Hampton Institute; where the school’s Caucasian leaders would teach the same values. Furthermore, Washington became so passionate about the successes of vocational programs for African Americans, he founded the Tuskegee Institute. During this time, he suggested, “the ultimate solution to the race problem was for Blacks to prove themselves worthy by becoming reliable and superior laborers” and eventually establish financial and racial …show more content…
Nevertheless, African Americans who do not have the intellectual skills required for employment suffer a lack of job opportunities. Bob Herbert, reporter for the New York Times, points out that ' 'the gap in [employment to population] ratios between young white and black males narrows from 20 percentage points among high school dropouts, to 16 percentage points among high school graduates, to eight percentage points among those men completing 1-3 years of college, and to only two percentage points for four-year college graduates.” Herbert, therefore, reiterates the fact that education serves as a vital tool for establishing successful employment. This point solidifies that Du Bois’ approach that African Americans should receive a higher education before contemplating employment is more coherent in relation to Washington’s proposal concerning the disadvantages experienced by African Americans in the 21st century. Moreover, the 21st century has a greater demand for higher education amongst African Americans than during the Progressive Era of the 19th century. Exemplified in a New York Times article stating, “even more noteworthy are the views of minorities, whose enrollment in higher education lags behind that of whites. When asked to choose the single factor that most determines success, 67 percent of Hispanic parents and 45 percent of African-American parents picked a college
He believed that African Americans should focus on gradually improving their moral and industrial abilities before developing a higher education. The justification for his belief presumably came from his background in the Hampton Institute; where the school’s Caucasian leaders would teach the same values. Furthermore, Washington became so passionate about the successes of vocational programs for African Americans, he founded the Tuskegee Institute. During this time, he suggested, “the ultimate solution to the race problem was for Blacks to prove themselves worthy by becoming reliable and superior laborers” and eventually establish financial and racial …show more content…
Nevertheless, African Americans who do not have the intellectual skills required for employment suffer a lack of job opportunities. Bob Herbert, reporter for the New York Times, points out that ' 'the gap in [employment to population] ratios between young white and black males narrows from 20 percentage points among high school dropouts, to 16 percentage points among high school graduates, to eight percentage points among those men completing 1-3 years of college, and to only two percentage points for four-year college graduates.” Herbert, therefore, reiterates the fact that education serves as a vital tool for establishing successful employment. This point solidifies that Du Bois’ approach that African Americans should receive a higher education before contemplating employment is more coherent in relation to Washington’s proposal concerning the disadvantages experienced by African Americans in the 21st century. Moreover, the 21st century has a greater demand for higher education amongst African Americans than during the Progressive Era of the 19th century. Exemplified in a New York Times article stating, “even more noteworthy are the views of minorities, whose enrollment in higher education lags behind that of whites. When asked to choose the single factor that most determines success, 67 percent of Hispanic parents and 45 percent of African-American parents picked a college