The Difference Between Booker T. Washington And W. E. B. Dubois

During the turn of the 20th century, there was great turmoil within the African American community. There were two mindsets, and each had a leader, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. Washington was born into slavery, and DuBois was the first black man to receive a Ph.D. in the United States. The two never really saw eye to eye when it came to the racial issue in the United States. Washington was in favor of not doing much and waiting for the issue to blow over He thought that maybe over time, African Americans would gain the respect of the white people. However, DuBois had quite the opposite approach which was to fight back against the injustice, something that was very risky at those times. Two perfect examples of their rivalries were …show more content…
Unlike, Washington, DuBois wanted some African American youth to be taught a higher level and not have all the youth taught hard labor. DuBois stated that there was a need for more higher learning institutions, “...throughout the South to train the best of the Negro youth as teachers, professional men, and leaders.” DuBois was looking to the future and wanted more forward thinkers to advance the African American fight for civil and social equality. The act of actually helping the youth would set a foundation for true equality in the …show more content…
Washington believed that if they were equal they should be treated as such. DuBois stated about Washington, “He insists on thrift and self-respect, but at the same time counsels a silent submission to civic inferiority such as is bound to sap the manhood of any race in the long run.” DuBois was on the right track, if African Americans wanted to be heard they needed to make their voices heard. Asking for equality was not far-fetched considering that African Americans were as much humans as White Americans were. Although we live in a different era, DuBois was saying radical things back then and could get you killed back in his