Compare and contrast between the philosophical thoughts of Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Dubois - Essay Example

Comparing and Contrasting Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois After the civil war most, African Americans faced discrimination and suffering. The free slaves struggled to create their identity and niche in a society where the African Americans were once regarded no as people but as slaves or property. Two leaders emerged during this era with different philosophical approaches to improving the situations of the African American people. Booker T. Washington and W.E. DuBois held different approaches to improving the black community (Karenga 152).

Washington felt that the African American people should use formalized education to uplift and improve their living standards. An educator, Washington believed that blacks should stabilize their future by becoming indispensable members in the society. The only way to become indispensable in the society is by providing a necessity to the society through education. Washington’s early childhood was in slavery forcing him to seek industrial education at Hampton. Washington was a strong supporter on industrial education.

Most of Washington’s philosophies were familiar with the southern blacks because he came from the south. Washington believes that the black community should not agitate for voting and civil rights not only for economic gains and security, but they should also fight for anti-black violence (Karenga 154). Washington’s popularity also increased among the northern whites and later, among the southern whites who perceived the philosophies as complete surrender and self-uplift. Most of Washington’s philosophies were based on prior experience with slavery On the contrary, W.E. DuBois grew up in a slavery-free society in the north.

DuBois did not experience the harsh realities of slavery or prejudice present in the south. DuBois grew in a predominantly white environment. Unlike Washington, DuBois felt that the equality between the white community and the African Americans was the most important thing. More politically militant than Washington, DuBois aired his political view through political movements, associations, and political magazines. DuBois felt believed that black people should get the same liberal education the white community gets.

As such DuBois ideas regarding education were crucial in shaping education among African American people (Rabaka 735).The biggest philosophical disagreement between the two leaders regarded black suffrage. Regarding voting, DuBois supported the agitation for the ballot and opposed voting among uneducated black people. According to DuBois, economic gains were not important without political power to support the gains (Karenga 158). On the other hand, Washington thought that DuBois militant approach did more harm to the black society by irritating the southern whites.

Although many contention points are evident between of Washington and DuBois, their philosophies share many similarities. Both leaders fought tirelessly against lynching and pushed against racially motivated violence. Though Washington may have advocated industrial education over liberal arts, he believed that liberal arts were equally important. Washington was even impressed by DuBois scholarly achievement and wanted the two to work together towards uplifting the living standards of the black people (Karenga 155).

DuBois also acknowledge many of Washington’s accomplishments. Although their methods differed, both leaders shared a similar goal of uplifting the black community. Both leaders fought to improve the situation of the African American people. Both men understood the need for the African American community to become literate both technologically and about other fields of study. Due to their influential appeal among certain areas, both leaders got great attention from many segments of the African American society and white community as well (Keith and Elwood 68).

Nevertheless, both leaders were central figures in uplifting and advancement of the African Americans.Works CitedKarenga, Maulana. Introduction to Black Studies. University of Sankore, 1993. Print.Keith, Johnson and Watson Elwood. "The W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington Debate: Effects upon African American Roles in Engineering and Engineering Technology." The Journal of Technology Studies (2004): 67-70.Rabaka, R. "The Souls of Black Radical Folk W.E.B. Du Bois, Critical Social Theory, and the State of Africana Studies.

" Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 36, No. 5 (2006): 732-763.