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discussion board
Going into the 1900s racist white people were killing black people for un-warranting offences or for rumors of offences such as rape because they fear and are angered by black people. Racist white people did not want to see any attempt of black people gaining power in society such as by voting or allowing them the same privileges as white people. Two black men of the time period had voices that stood out over others. These men are Brooker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bios. After reading what they spoke it is visible that they have similar approaches that differ in at least one key way, W.E.B Du Bios has an action oriented plan that likely contributes to a more hopeful, empowering step into the future toward racial equality, while Brooker T. Washington has a passive approach which values acceptance and slow progress.
Both men advise their fellow black men and women to educate themselves as much as they could. They can agree that becoming more educated will definitely work in their favor to gain equality. Washington is more passive in his approach advising black people to stay quiet while they grow more valuable, and more equal to the white man. Bios is rather unrestful in his approach begging the urgency that they must fight for their equality if they ever want to see it. Washington’s approach seems to come from a place of fear for likely the lives of his family and their families. He may possibly feel inferior to whites or hopeless for effective action to be taken, so he wants to stay quiet as they gain value in hopes that white people would eventually see them as an equal. His passive approach is more likely to keep their people safe, but it also may keep them in a place of inferiority for a greater amount of time, where some might rather be dead. This is where Washington would advise to accept their place in society and work up from it.
Bois’ approach was to be very active in fighting to gain equality. He does not view himself as inferior to white men and is willing to show this to them and advises other black people to do the same. He is infuriated by Washington’s approach because it values slow, stable progress that does not guarantee their voice will be heard. Bois does not believe black people will get anywhere near equality without fighting for it in a peacefully determined way. He does not want people to be brought down by the words of Washington when he tells his people to wait until they’re more educated to begin fighting for equality. He believes they should be educated in a way to prepare them for the responsibilities of equal citizenship.
Ultimately, these two men both have valid approaches that hold different values, and in combination carry a balance that may carry the black race into the twentieth century with greater strength and determination. The most valued voices in black history have been voices that advise peaceful protest similar to Bois, while solidifying their education to allow them to step into equality as Washington believes to be correct is also an important part of their progress. The demand for educated black men to step up as leaders to find equality will be filled as time goes on and more black men become educated. Both men speak appropriately for their time, and their future follows a blend of what each man has to say.
