African Americans and the New South - Essay Example

An Analysis of Viewpoints: African Americans and the 'New South' America, as it was preparing to enter the20th Century, was experiencing rapid change. The Civil War was over, reconstruction was complete and the nation had seen unequaled leaps of technology and industrial advancement in the last several decades of the 19th century. It was also a period of healing coupled with learning and trying to redefine the social structure. In the following pages I will examine several viewpoints from noted African Americans of the era and discuss their perspectives on the path to equality for the African American community in the 'New South'. Wells took a radical stance is his position. He blamed the African American as much as the White population for perpetuating the inequality still remaining in the south. The violence and its increasing frequency and spread both west and north were in his mind precursors of what was to follow if African Americans sat quietly by and let it occur. Although he stopped short of an outright revolution, in his mind words alone would not bring about a change. The only people African Americans could rely on were themselves. Through meeting the violence and hatred head on was the only solution available. Although not standing by and letting the rest of the nation dictate what was best for African American people, Wells view was, in my opinion, much to extreme and would alienate the supporters for Black equality among the general population. The extremist views, although not negating the horrors of lynching, would do more harm than good in drawing attention away from the brutality and focusing it on perceived hatred for Whites. Booker T. Washington's views stated that the newly won freedom from slavery brought with it desires to achieve immediate positions of power and importance. However, as natural as the tendency was to desire this, Washington stated that the initial joy of new found freedom was over and the work was truly to begin. This work was not found in African Americans seeking to make a new life elsewhere, nor was it in southern industry looking to the hordes of immigrants entering the United States. Instead Washington tells us to "cast down your bucket where you are." (38) His view expresses that white and black southern America are intertwined in their history, both knowing the other's strengths and weaknesses and working together was a business that lead to prosperity for both. The biggest mistakes African Americans could make, in his view, is expecting too much, too soon. He stresses that the important issues to improve the state of Black America is education and working hard at doing the best job possible, no matter your position in life. The attainment of higher things is found in the ability to start from where you are and work towards improvement through education, learning and reliance on one another. The last area that Washington stresses is the separation of Blacks and Whites socially. He uses, quite well, the metaphor of the hand and the fingers - connected yet separate. "In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress". (39) He proposes a business proposition that through mutual hard work and cooperation each race will grow and prosper as a united front. His position is logical and pragmatic not based on emotion but on a mutually beneficial business partnership. However, he warns us that if both continue on the path of exclusion and complaint the result will be ruinous for both races an almost implied threat. Turner offers a position totally opposed to Washington, whom he refers to, if not by name by his stance, when he states "that any black who claimed that African Americans did not want social equality immediately "is either an ignoramus, or is an advocate of the perpetual servility and degradation of his race" (42). Turner opens with what appears to be disdain for Black Americans when he opposes the notion that Blacks were sold into slavery; rather he states they were sold from slavery in Africa to slavery in America, all done by providence to allow Black Americans to see their strengths and realize that equality will never be found for them in America. The only hope to achieve complete manhood is to partake freely and equally in all layers of society: socially, economically and politically. "If the Negro is to be a man, full and complete, he must take part in everything that belongs to manhood. If he omits a single duty, responsibility or privilege, to that extent he is limited and incomplete." (44). White, American society will never allow it to happen. The doctrines of religion, politics and society will never allow true equality and freedom. Black man's hope then lies in returning to Africa and creating a new society devoid of the American culture that will never see the two races as equal which does not give due credit to Black Americans and sounds defeatist rather than empowering. Dubois' position stressed taking from the best of the Black race and pulling up the masses from within. Like Washington Dubois stressed education but not in its time and place, but now. "Education is the development of power and ideal." (47) Through example and the open doors that the most talented would offer the rest would follow. He demanded improving the quality of education not in word but in deed. Only through actions could real equality be achieved. "The Talented Tenth of the Negro race must be made leaders of thought and missionaries of culture among their people." (45) He stressed looking to the future and not dwelling on the past. As his theories and beliefs developed he called for a united front by all 'downtrodden' Americans, the poor and the uneducated, not just African Americans to unite to demand equality not through violence but through a united voice not working together with the rest of America but in opposition to it. Harper's perspective was that the hope and the future of Black America lay in its homes where the true lessons of life are taught and nurtured. Education is important but money, materialism and social position that come with them are nothing without character. Central to that development is home and motherhood. "The school may instruct and the church may teach, but the home is an institution older than the church and antedates school." (49) Women, therefore, as she pointed out through history, quietly were the true greatness behind the faade of what society deemed to be important. "The work o the mothers of our race is grandly constructive. It is for us to build above the wreck and ruin of the past more stately temples of thought and action."(51) Her perspective, although not diminishing the importance of education and training, stressed that without development of the inner person, character, strength, and perseverance outward trappings of advancements and success were hollow and temporary. In conclusion, each perspective offered had distinct strengths and weaknesses. The one possible approach not mentioned was an outward violent revolt and overtaking of America. Wells position came closest to supporting this, but his view was although to a point empowering would alienate the nation not bring it together. Although not likely to be successful this was one viewpoint not portrayed in the reading. Washington's excellent point of action not complaint was well put although it seemed to lack direction and a plan. Turner did not give credit to the power and determination of the people, nor did he consider that this was home to most of them, not some distant land. His view was as racist as those he claimed were the cause to leave. Dubois theory was logical but he lost sight of what he believed; uniting all the downtrodden, his evolved theory, lacked purpose. Harper was speaking out for equality not just racially but for women as well. Strength of character is not a trait of manhood only and what she spoke had much truth in it. Although there were many diverse viewpoints each had strengths and weaknesses. A blending of the best of all of them serves us as much now as it would have then. Works Cited Wheeler, William B. and Becker, Susan D. Discovering the American Past, Vol. II Since 1865. (5th Ed.) Boston: Houghthton Mifflin Company, 2004. African American Alternatives Speaker Suggested Alternatives How Does Speaker Develop Her/His Arguments Strengths and Weaknesses (Fill in later) Wells Equality will be found in matching evil for evil. Attack back is the only solution to the violence and inequality. That is what they know and the only thing they will understand. The violence and outward hatred seen were terrible and not to negate that his rage was apparent. His rationale of the spreading violence not just in the South but increasing elsewhere was a persuasive point, but was lost in the meeting of ignorance with more of it. Would have been better served drawing on the goodness of the majority rather than focusing on the evil and hate of a few. Self help and responsibility for self was good. No one has more interest in you than you do. The extreme with the alienation lost it all. Washington Equality will be found in starting from where we are. Through education and doing the best at your position no matter what that may be is the key to finding equality. Through learning comes strength and achievement. Complaining and criticism are counterproductive. Be proud and do your best. With time the rest will follow. Interdependence yet separation are necessary to begin. Learn to walk before you can run, but not as focused on how and stretching oneself. Accepting your lot in life without a plan to improve it seeks failure. Realism is good but dreaming and working towards it important too. Turner True Equality will never be found in the US. The culture has developed that will forever exclude any hope of attaining it. Building a Nation in Africa is the only way. Sold from one form of slavery to another. But this showed the race what could be. Through examples of religion and culture displayed black/white - good/evil. This will never change. New home is the only hope. Surface sounds empowering but it doesn't allow for the strength of the people to be seen. Almost cowardly. US is home to most of the people, they should work/fight for home not run. Lack of belief in people and possibility. Du Bois Equality will be found from within through developing the best and brightest of the Black Race. Through the doors they open the rest will be pulled upward with them. America is home. Develop the best to ensure advancement and equality of all. As doors are open the rest will follow through example and opportunity. Unite all not just race but all inequality through peaceful protest. Top 10 made sense. Promote the best open doors and potential for others. He seemed to loose sight of that. Uniting all not just by race was positive, but lacked direction and organization. Too many generalities and no plan of action. Harper Equality and true freedom are not found in social trappings but in character and character is developed through Woman kind where the real strength of the race is found. Character, moral fiber the true measure of freedom and they hope from the people lies in the strength of Black Women. Throughout history the greatness of nations was founded on this. Expect and demand more and that's what you will receive. Families and moral character are important. She stated an important ignored truth - the importance of women on society what we're taught in the home lays the foundation for what we will be. Like the other though it is not one thing but a collection of all that is needed. Stressing character was important and before had been missed. Read More