The messages of Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois could not have been more diverse. The philosophical rivalry between Washington and DuBois has deep historical roots. To be on the same side fighting for the same purpose, progress, and uplifting of the Black race, these two Black intellectuals harbored radically divergent views on how to assist African Americans to free themselves from their often subhuman conditions. Both men were aware that technological advancement was of foremost importance to the advancement of African Americans (Johnson & Watson, 2004).
Booker T. Washington Philosophy
Booker T. Washington who was a student at Hampton Institute became convinced that vocational education was the only way that Blacks would become …show more content…
The study focused on four social classes within the city. The first group was the top 10%, which he called an upper class or aristocracy. These people included entrepreneurs and professional people. These people had decent jobs and could afford to send their children to some of the best schools. The second group, was the respectable working class. These were the individuals who were primarily made up of servants, waiters, porters, and laborers. This was the class of people who were eager to move up to higher social classes. The third group of African Americans was referred to as the poor. And, it was made up of recent immigrants who could not find work, unreliable persons, widows, and wives of broken families. The lowest class (about 6% of the Black population) was labeled as criminals (DuBois, 1899). Because of the large disparity that existed between the two groups, upwardly mobile African Americans were able to successfully distinguish themselves among other classes in the city. After his study of African American in Philadelphia ended, DuBois concluded that the only way for African American to advanced was through the leadership of the upper classes. Hence, came the term talented tenth. DuBois was resolute in his belief that intellectual guidance from the best and brightest Black scholars was the ultimate way for African American to advanced (Johnson & Watson,
Booker T. Washington Philosophy
Booker T. Washington who was a student at Hampton Institute became convinced that vocational education was the only way that Blacks would become …show more content…
The study focused on four social classes within the city. The first group was the top 10%, which he called an upper class or aristocracy. These people included entrepreneurs and professional people. These people had decent jobs and could afford to send their children to some of the best schools. The second group, was the respectable working class. These were the individuals who were primarily made up of servants, waiters, porters, and laborers. This was the class of people who were eager to move up to higher social classes. The third group of African Americans was referred to as the poor. And, it was made up of recent immigrants who could not find work, unreliable persons, widows, and wives of broken families. The lowest class (about 6% of the Black population) was labeled as criminals (DuBois, 1899). Because of the large disparity that existed between the two groups, upwardly mobile African Americans were able to successfully distinguish themselves among other classes in the city. After his study of African American in Philadelphia ended, DuBois concluded that the only way for African American to advanced was through the leadership of the upper classes. Hence, came the term talented tenth. DuBois was resolute in his belief that intellectual guidance from the best and brightest Black scholars was the ultimate way for African American to advanced (Johnson & Watson,