Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois Debating what the best method was for African Americans to gain full integration and civil rights in American society

Booker T. Washington Goal: For African Americans to achieve civil rights through first achieving a baseline of economic stability before they could achieve full integration into American Society.

Booker T. Washington/Pros Taught valuable a useful job skills through vocational education. Farming Iron Working Cooking Brick Laying Construction

Booker T. Washington/Pros Had a more realistic goal of teaching a generation of mostly uneducated freed slaves job skills to improve them selves now

Booker T. Washington/Pros A system of education for African Americans that was not threatening to whites. That allowed African Americans to increase their education without the fear and violence of white hatred against them Gained support from wealthy white benefactors. Accommodating approach helped fund black colleges, support talented young men and women as teachers and channel resources to support civil rights activities and individuals under cover and out of sight.

Booker T. Washington/Cons Settled for not having social and political equality for the time being (didn’t insist on gaining civil rights) Saw as a “sell out” to some people in his race. Did not demand a higher education for African Americans Was blamed for creating a black underclass through focusing on vocational education. Atlanta Compromise renounced civil rights and racial equality for blacks in favor of separate or segregated economic development

W.E.B. Du Bois Goal: For African Americans to achieve full civil rights (social and political equality, as well as black pride) as soon as possible.

W.E.B. Du Bois/Pros Demanded that African Americans should never accept inequality. It’s all Americans Constitutional right to have their civil rights and there is never a need to wait. Called for an ending of Jim Crow, Plessy V. Ferguson, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses.

W.E.B. Du Bois/Pros Believed that vocational as well as a liberal arts education were essential for the black community in gaining equal rights and moving ahead in American society. Looked to educate the next generation of African American leaders to lead the way for civil rights.

W.E.B. Du Bois/Pros Founded the NAACP, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Worked through the courts to achieve civil rights for African Americans.

W.E.B. Du Bois/Cons Not as realistic as Washington considering how whites felt about blacks. Will forced assimilation create an equal, just and fair society?

W.E.B. Du Bois/Cons Not only were African Americans in need of civil rights, but economically they were struggling and his plan did not address those needs as quickly. System that was more hostile with whites, did not get their support and may have lead to longer, harder struggle.

Booker T. or W.E.B. Du Bois Now you have to choose!