Washington vs. Dubois

“The Fight for Equality”

      Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois were two African American men who fought for equality for African Americans in the late 1800s and early 1900s; however, they used different methods to achieve this common goal. Though both men were fighting for the same cause, both had very different beliefs about the subject. Both also had different ways of going about doing it. Booker T. Washington wanted to take a more gradual approach while W.E.B. Du Bois wanted equality immediately. W.E.B. Du Bois wanted immediate social equality for African Americans; however Booker T. Washington wanted economic freedom. The two men wanted the African Americans to step out of the white man’s shadows and receive what was entitled to them in the Constitution.

Although these two men were alike in some ways, they were different in more ways. Booker T. Washington kept clear of the subject of social equality. He believed in getting economic freedom for African Americans. He wanted blacks to learn a trade and take a part in the working force as a step in getting equality. This economic independence would be the ticket in getting

the equality they wanted. He also wanted to take things slowly and gradually work towards equality. Washington said they should bear with the immoral and hatred things said about the black community, while trying to work hard towards their goal. With doing this, they would earn the respect of the common white man. Washington was the first black man to eat at the White House. He also founded the Tuskegee Institute. He was the white man’s favorite because he was not seen as a threat. His beliefs and methods were not as threatening.

W.E.B. Du Bois demanded total equality for African Americans. He also took the more rapid approach. He wanted the rights immediately. He did not want the African Americans to have to wait for to receive their rights, as they had waited long enough. He wanted them to demand that they receive...