Washington vs DuBois
Washington vs. DuBois Approach for 1877-1915 On January 1, 1863, the United States’ Negro population was proclaimed “henceforth and forever free” according to President Abraham Lincoln’s establishment of the Emancipation Proclamation. However, years after its release, the Negro population was still mistreated. After the Civil War, white southerners were relentless in establishing themselves as the superior race. The newly implemented Black Codes restricted African Americans' of their new freedom and essentially began a new form of slavery. African Americans experienced violent discrimination and devastating poverty daily. In an attempt to diminish this oppression, two great and well respected leaders of the black community, Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois, offered contrasting approaches. Both methods contributed to the movement; however, one was more appropriate for the time period. Overall, Washington’s philosophy of self help and acceptance of discrimination was the better fit. Washington presented his approach to an audience on September 18, 1895, when he delivered his Atlanta Compromise Address. In his address, Washington advised blacks to accept discrimination for the time being and concentrate on elevating themselves through hard work and an education and career in an industrial study, such as farming, enterprise, housekeeping, or thrift. He explained that this would earn the respect of whites and eventually incorporate them into society. Washington assured, “No race that has anything to contribute to the markets of the world is going to be in any degree ostracized” (Source D). DuBois, on the other hand, disagreed and argued that social change could only be accomplished by giving the black population a higher education and developing them into cultured individuals. Although well intentioned, DuBois’ plan was quite unrealistic. During this time period, over half of the black population above age nine was illiterate and only about 1/3 of Negros