W.E.B. Dubois vs Booker T. Washington: Who had the right idea?

Reconstruction; a time of new ideas and old ideas. The area of the most varying ideas was, of
course, racism and the rights for those of different races. Even when people had the same intentions, they
frequently had very different ideas of how to achieve those goals. Two prime examples of varying ideas
were those of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois.

Booker T. Washington said, The opportunity to earn a dollar in a factory just now is worth
infinitely more than the opportunity to spend a dollar in an opera-house. (Washington, Up from
Slavery) Washington believed that economic equality was far more important than anything else. He
wanted the Freedmen's Bureau to help them get jobs and earn money and learn about industry so they
could make a living. W.E.B. Dubois had a rather different view on it, that was rather more popular at the
time. Dubois believed that they should try and fight back against the racism to gain social and political
equality because submission to civic inferiority such as is bound to sap the manhood of any race in the
long run. (Dubois, Souls of Black Folk) He believed that having social and political equality would
open many paths for them, and it could allow them to lead better lives.

One possible reason for them having such differing approaches to the issue, is because they
believed there were different things that were the biggest problems in racism. Dubois believed that the
Stern financial and social stress after the war cooled much of the previous humanitarian ardor, (Dubois,
Up From Slavery) was one of the largest problems. Washington believed the biggest problem with the
freed slaves was that they were not prepared for the industrial age and being able to survive in the
economy. Washington stated to education of head, hand, and heart, you will find that they will buy your
surplus land, make blossom the waste places in your fields, and run your factories (Washington, Souls of
Black Folks) about the freedmen, trying to encourage people to educate the Blacks better about how to
thrive in the world.

Washington's idea to focus on the economy and rights relevant to it, and many people in modern
day society agree that a good education is necessary to get far in this society. In 1997 54% of black
Americans believed this to be true. However, there were still 54% of black adults who also say theyve
been the victim of discrimination (The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, Vital Signs). While they
may be getting better education, many more blacks are ending up in prison and being discriminated
against than whites. Many of the social and political rights Dubois hoped for were theoretically granted
as well, 87.1% of Blacks say they feel confident in their ability to advance themselves in their company
(Int'l Communications Research, Vital Signs); however, there are still many social injustices that dont
work for Dubois rights granted either. Black men are considered far more likely to spend time in prison
than a white man. Ultimately, I believe Washingtons ideas of economic rights are more beneficial to the
African Americans, as they grant them the ability to succeed, even if they are not appreciated, as
demonstrated by the statistics. All three types of rights are still very important in modern day society, to
be granted to all citizens, but the economic rights are the most important of them all.

Works Cited

Dubois, W.E.B. Souls of Black Folk. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Alcyone. Web. 8 Oct. 2015.

"Vital Signs." Journal of Blacks in Higher Education: n. pag. Front Line. Web. 8

Oct. 2015.

2015.

Washington, Booker T. Up from Slavery. N.p.: n.p., 1903. Bartleby. Web. 8 Oct.