Amina King

Green Group
10/22/17

Booker T. Washington vs. W.E.B. DuBois

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois were both prominent in the discussion of

achieving black equality, although they have differing views. DuBois’ views were

important to create a foundation for being viewed as equal, but Washington’s views are

more relevant to the present and address our need to become equal economically.

DuBois believed the key to racial equality lies in political, social, and educational

advancement. He asked for “1. The right to vote. 2. Civic equality 3. The education of

youth according to ability” (DuBois). He believed the greatest impediment to racial

equality was white people treating black people badly and making it difficult for black

people to rise. He defined “equal” as being viewed the same as white people. He

criticized Washington for seemingly accepting the notion that black people are inferior,

and that their condition is their own fault. DuBois believed that it is the responsibility of

the community to help raise an individual and the responsibility of highly intelligent black

people to speak on behalf of their race. This is a shortcoming because if only a few

black people speak out, not all opinions of different classes and individual black people

will be recognized. It is good that DuBois wanted to focus on equality in the sense of

being recognized as equally human to white people. Today, he would propose further

improving and diversifying the education system and voting even more black people into

government as the key to gaining equality.

Washington believed that racial equality will be gained once economic equality is

gained. “This is an age of unusual economic development, and Mr. Washington’s

programme naturally takes an economic cast, becoming a gospel of Work and Money”
 Amina King
Green Group
10/22/17

(DuBois). Instead of power in government, Washington wanted better industrial

education so that black people could earn more and own as much as white people. His

views were reminiscent of social darwinism because he believed that the most educated

and fit people thrive. He believed that the greatest impediment to racial equality was

bad economic and general education. Washington’s view is good because once freed,

black people would have equal opportunities to earn money and live well-off. However,

his views do not address political power or how black people will be seen as equal

socially, and give the impression that equality is measured only in material things.

Washington would propose making economic education easily accessible to more black

people.

I believe that DuBois’ views proved effective in the past when it was most important

for black people to be viewed as equal and to have the same rights and opportunities as

white people. Black people are much more respected now than in the past. Research

shows narrowing racial gaps since 1960 in statistics such as high school completion

and voter turnout (Pew Research Staff). From 1960 to 2012, the gap between white and

black people for high school completion has shortened from 24 percent to 7 percent,

and the gap for voter turnout shortened from 12 percent to -3 percent, with black people

ahead. Thus, according to DuBois’ interpretation of equality as having equal education

and voice in politics, we have already grown very much. That is why I believe that at this

point in time, Washington’s views are more relevant in the black journey to equality.

Research shows that gaps have actually widened between black and white people in

economic areas (Pew Research Staff). The gap between median household incomes

for black and white people has widened from $19,360 to $27,414 , and the gap for
 Amina King
Green Group
10/22/17

median household wealth has widened from $75,224 to $84,960 from 1960 to 2012.

Black people are still very unequal when it comes to wealth and economics. At this

point, black people should focus on economics to gain full equality.

DuBois’ views that black people need to focus on political and social equality were

very important and relevant when the movement started, but since we have most nearly

achieved this equality, I believe that Washington’s ideas of advancing industrial

education are more important today. DuBois and Washington measure equality in

different but equally important ways.

Works Cited
DuBois, William E. B. “Chapter III Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others.” The Souls

of Black Folk, 1903, www.bartleby.com/114/3.html

Pew Research Staff. “King’s Dream Remains an Elusive Goal; Many Americans See

Racial Disparities.” Pew Research Center's Social & Demographic Trends Project, Pew
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10/22/17

Research Center, 22 Aug. 2013, www.pewsocialtrends.org/2013/08/22/kings-dream-

remains-an-elusive-goal-many-americans-see-racial-disparities/

Rubric rating submitted on: 11/4/2017, 8:30:16 AM by marc.i.grossman@mcpsmd.net

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Green Group
10/22/17

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Green Group
10/22/17

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