University:
Creekside High School
Course:
English I
Academic year:

2022
Views:

390

Pages:

1
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customer-8275071

Greg goodman Pre-AP English II A2 Mr. Igoudjil 25 March 2025 Booker T. Washington vs. W.E. B. Du Bois In The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B. Du Bois critically analyzes Booker T. Washington’s philosophy regarding African American advancement. Washington advocated for a focus on vocational training and economic self-sufficiency, promoting a gradual approach to civil rights through self-help and accommodation to white society. Du Bois, however, challenges this perspective, arguing that it undermines the importance of higher education and political rights. One of Du Bois's key critiques is that Washington's approach essentially accepts second-class citizenship for African Americans. He famously states that "Mr. Washington is correct in suggesting that a certain amount of industrial education is important... but he does not place enough emphasis on the necessity of… the cultivation of the best and most able minds among the Negro people." Du Bois believes that a talented elite, which he refers to as the "Talented Tenth," is essential for leading the race toward civil rights and higher social standing. Du Bois also argues that Washington’s focus on economic advancement can lead to a compromise of civil rights. He writes, “The Negro race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men.” This assertion reflects his belief in the necessity of fostering leaders who can advocate for social and political equality rather than relegating African Americans to vocational roles. Furthermore, Du Bois emphasizes the psychological impact of Washington's philosophy on African Americans. He contends that by promoting a submissive attitude and limiting aspirations to manual labor, Washington’s ideas can perpetuate the oppression of Black individuals and diminish their sense of self-worth. Du DuBois writes, "The Negro has the soul of a man," arguing that African Americans deserve the same intellectual and cultural aspirations as any other race. In summary, Du Bois’s response to Washington in The Souls of Black Folk is a passionate plea for a more assertive approach to civil rights, the importance of higher education, and a call to recognize Black individuals' full humanity and potential. He firmly believes that true progress cannot be achieved by accepting a subordinate position in society.