U.S. History: Culture and civilization - Essay Example

? Number: CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION Mr. Washington designed a simplified but definite programme when the US was experiencing a psychological period of shame for having bestowed a lot of sentiment on American Negroes. At the same time, the nation concentrated so much on accumulating wealth. His effort concerned the industrial education, Southern conciliation civil rights, submission, and political rights. From 1830 to the time of war, free Negroes had sought to establish industrial schools (Du Bois). Additionally, the association of American Missionary was teaching concerning the different types of trades and price. Other partners sought means of a distinguished alliance with the outstanding Southerners. On his part, Mr. Washington initially indissolubly linked some elements, unlimited energy, enthusiasm, as well as perfect faith with the programme, therefore, changing it into a Way of Life from a “by-path.” Notably, the approach by which he used these methods remains a tale as well as a study of humanity. It seemed startling to the US to hear such an advocacy from a Negro after numerous decades of insensitive complaint. Washington’s effort won the Southern support as well as the Northern interest and admiration. However, after a murmur of protests full of confusion, the programme either silenced or converted the Negroes (Du Bois). The first task of Mr. Washington was to acquire the cooperation and sympathy of the many elements entailing the white from the South. Such a movement by a black man, during the Tuskegee’s foundation, seemed, “well-nigh impossible.” After a span of ten years, this unexpected movement happened when a statement was made in Atlanta: "In all things purely social, we can be as separate as the five fingers of the hand, and yet remain as one like a hand in all essentials towards mutual progress." There followed varying interpretations on the same statement by the South: to the radicals, the statement was a total surrender regarding the demand for political and civil equality; to the conservatives, the statement spelt a generous conceptual working foundation for mutual understanding. Consequently, both the radicals and conservatives approved the statement, and the author emerged the most influential Southerner since the time of Jefferson Davis. Following this achievement, the work by Mr. Washington gained consideration and place in the North. Other tactful and less shrewd people had formerly tried to make the same accomplishments but did not excel. Mr. Washington had known the Southern heart from birth as well as through training. He, therefore, alone intuitively and insightfully captured the spirit that reigned in the North. The other aspect of civilization involved the selection of leaders in the culture of Negro Americans. The contextual attitude of people was the determinant of opposition to as well as the natural forces’ conquest. The integration of ideas would have the imprisoned group’s attitude take three basic forms,--a revolt and revenge feeling; an attempt of adjusting all ideas and action and align it with the ultimate will of the whole group. Additionally, change in attitude contributed towards self-development and self-realization inspite of contextual opinion. The attitudes related influence can be traced following the Negro American history as well as the evolution related to the succession of leaders. The aspiration of the Black Americans towards assimilation, freedom, and ultimate adjustments was voiced through songs such as during the Attuck’s martyrdom by Phyllis. Mr. Washington's program naturally took an economic shift, emerging a gospel of money and work that would almost overshadow the highly ranked aims of life. Additionally, the age of that time represented the advanced coming closer of races. The discussion by Du Bois follows a line of critics, where he states that Mr. Washington is even opposed by his own people due to mere envy, referring to “the disappointment of displaced demagogues as well as the spite of narrow minds.” However, he also acknowledges the fact that there are colored people who were knowledgeable and had material wealth (Du Bois). RELATIONS WITH WHITE AMERICANS Mr. Washington in his speech in Atlanta advocates for a mutual relationship between the whites and Black Americans. He uses the analogy of “Casting down the bucket.” He calls on the whites to realize that much of the development existing in the South is because of the eight million Negroes. The blacks cleared the forests, cultivated the land, built cities and railroads, serving in the factories of the whites, amongst other commitments. They served in all these affairs without striking or even engaging in labor wars (Washington, 1856). Mr. Washington promises that the whites should be encouraged, and that by adopting the culture of mutual acceptance, they will be assured to have a surrounding population that is faithful, law-abiding, most patient, and unresentful. The blacks had a proven loyalty, and thus in humility they promise to stand devoted with the whites, to a level that no foreigner(s) would approach. The blacks are also ready to sacrifice for the whites in defending their industrial, civil, commercial, and religious lives, with an intention of realizing a common interest to both races. Regarding the social aspects, blacks may be as unique as the five fingers of the hand, but still, one as the human hand, in essential contributions that would help towards the realization of a mutual progress (Washington, 1856). There is no security or even defense for either the whites or blacks apart from the highest development and intelligence of everyone. Anyone with the intention of getting involved in the affairs of Negroes should aim at mobilizing their fullest growth and not curtailing them. Such individuals should seek to stimulate, encourage, and make Negroes the most intelligent and useful citizen. Such invested efforts will help realize substantial benefits; there will be double blessings. Mr. Washington pledges with the whites must always be patient and sympathetic in assisting the blacks. Far beyond the material accumulation, he says that the motivation of both races should be a higher good. The referred good is God’s intervention in blotting out racial animosities, suspicions, and sectional differences, in order to administer true justice, amongst all classes. This combined effort of both races would help in realizing a better Southern region, “a new heaven and a new earth” (Washington, 1856). References Washington, Booker, T. Up from Slavery: THE ATLANTA EXPOSITION ADDRESS. Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/washington/ch14.html Du Bois, W.E.B. Souls of Black Folks: Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others. Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/dubois/ch03.html Read More