Historic recurrence is a philosophy often looked at as near fact. Many people believe that history strictly repeats itself, however this is not entirely true. Rather than history directly repeating itself, it is more accurate to say that a recurrence of patterns is commonplace throughout human history. This phenomenon of historic recurrence can be seen on both large and small scales, and both are quite numerous. One in particular that stands out is the historic recurrence between philosophies of two famous African American men who lived in the United States: educator Booker T. Washington and poet James Weldon Johnson. The two men were born only 15 years apart (with Washington being the older of the two), and in fact had met while Johnson was …show more content…
Washington and the Progressive Era, which was a movement in the United States that lasted from 1890 to around 1910. It reflected worries that reformers had about the state of society and social disorder as well as other political and social issues (Divine 628). Common issues looked at during the Progressive Era included: living conditions in cities, Prohibition, the role of the U.S. Government in society, and the rights of African Americans. The issue over the rights of African Americans in particular was one that allowed Booker T. Washington to rise to the forefront of the issue. During the Progressive Era, there were many different opinions as to how exactly African Americans should attempt to progress towards equal Civil Rights. While some activists pushed for protest, Washington took a different approach: gradualism. Washington felt that African Americans should attempt to earn their way into society by showing whites that they can own property and be an equal part of society. One of Washington’s first examples of his gradualist mindset can be seen in the Atlanta Compromise, a speech that Washington delivered at an international exposition in Atlanta, Georgia in 1895. In the Atlanta Compromise, Washington acknowledged the fact that whites dominated the American society. However, he also called for slow progression towards African American civil rights through self-improvement and the …show more content…
After graduating from a preparatory school in Atlanta, Georgia in 1894, Johnson was even offered a scholarship to Harvard University medical school (Wisner-Broyles 126). However, he turned the offer down and decided to become the principal of Stanton Grammar School, which he attended as a child. As the principal of Stanton Grammar School, Johnson made it a priority of his to provide a full high school education for young African Americans (Reisman 972). While being an active part of Stanton School, Johnson also took the opportunity to improve his skills in songwriting and poetry. One of his most early culminations of this work came in 1913, when he published his poem “Fifty Years” as a commemoration of the 50 year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The poem itself has an uplifting attitude, where Johnson comments on the positive impact that the Emancipation Proclamation had on the African American community and how it allowed them to become members of society rather than slaves. Johnson says in the first four lines of the poem, “O brothers mine, to-day we stand / Where half a century sweeps our ken, / Since God, through Lincoln’s ready hand, / Struck off our bonds and made us men” (American Verse Project). This introduction to the poem allows readers to recognize the elation in Johnson’s tone and it introduces readers to the
Eventually they would earn the respect and love of the white man, and civil and political rights would be accrued as a matter of course. This was a very non-threatening and popular idea with a lot of whites. For two decades Washington established a dominant tone of gradualism and accommodationism among blacks, only to find in the latter half of this period that the leadership was passing to more militant leaders such as W. E. B. DuBois. During the four decades following reconstruction, the position of the Negro in America steadily deteriorated. The hopes and aspirations of the freedmen for full citizenship rights were shattered after the federal government betrayed the Negro and restored white supremacist control to the South.
Johnson begins his poem on behalf of the hardships of African Americans by acknowledging that after all the Africans hardships and pain they’ve been through, they are on the verge of freedom as long as they stick together. The way Johnson uses diction to show his audience how to face hardships with unity, is by the use of the strong phrases or words used. Johnson implies, “Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,” (28), and “Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last.”(19-20). The outpour of emotions with the use of strong diction words in that quote, informs the reader that as long as we the people
In this essay you will read about numerous similarities as well as differences between these two gentlemen. Their names are Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. But before I explain the differences between these two gentlemen, I will give you a more in depth background on each of them. This information that I will provide for you will give you a clearer thought on how they were raised and their beliefs.
The term Progressivism implies a philosophy that promotes change/reform in the current political, economic, and social aspects of society while conservatism stresses gradual change in society but promotes tradition rather than change. The Progressive movement from 1901 to 1917 worked to improve aspects of society that grew out of problems which occurred during the Industrial Age. The goals of the "Progressives" were to stop monopolies, corruption, inefficiency and social injustices. Both progressive acts and amendments were being passed to deal with social ills, corruption in politics and corporate America. The period from 1901-1917 was more a victory for liberalism, mainly "modern liberalism", than a triumph of conservatism due to the fact that multiple reform movements were occurring in this era changing political, economic, and social aspects in society to protect the rights of the common man.
With a new nation facing overwhelming difficulties, George Washington faced the challenges of being the first president to run, shape, and build the foundations of the newly formed United States. Washington came into office with the country in heavy debt, and an empty treasury. With the issues President George Washington was facing, he proved to be a paragon leader.
However controversial his methods and objectives, few can doubt that Washington worked hard to achieve them. Certainly the high point in his career was his famous speech at the Atlanta Cotton States and International Exposition in 1895, in which he accepted social and legal segregation but promised racial friendship and cooperation.
In order to have a better America, The Progressive Era was a time where activist and reformers from various backgrounds, had various agendas and reacting to challenges which faced the country. These challenges were rapid urban sprawl, immigration, corruption, industrial working conditions, growth of large corporations, women’s rights, surging anti-black violence and white supremacy (KKK) in the South. Some positive results of progressive movement were for women given the right to vote, to remove alcohol from communities and the establishment of the democratic voting process. In addition, Progressive activist took up a cause for legislation to address some of the troubling industries in America such as child labor, anti-trust, big business break ups and health and
Booker T. Washington was an African American leader who established an African-American college in 1181. Then in 1895 delivered the Atlanta Compromise Speech to an audience of mainly Southerners, but some Northerners were present. In his speech he made a few points. He said, “No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.” Washington believed that the African American race needed to learn first that manual labor was just as important as the work of intellects. He thought that until they learned this they were not worthy of becoming intellects themselves. The color line is thus important in teaching them this lesson. He also said, “It is important and right that all privileges of the law be ours, but it is vastly more important that we be prepared for the exercise of these privileges.” His opinion was that one day blacks would deserve to have equal rights with the whites, but right now in 1895 the blacks needed to be...
The Progressive Era ( 1890’s- 1920’s) was a period of political reforms and social activism within politicians, and radical groups. Some politicians were also known as “Political Progressives”, this group made great changes in the effort to sooth the anger of many industrial workers, and to make their jobs a little less rigorous, however the changes put into effort by political progressives would do little to aid the concerns such as those of the radicals groups (women, blacks, Mexican-Americans).
Du Bois, was the competing ideology at the time. Du Bois rose to prominence and became a great African-American leader in his own right around the time Washington was at his peak. Du Bois respected Washington but largely disagreed with his vision of black society and progression. Du Bois was a leader in several radical (at the time) organizations such as the Conference of Negro Problems and the Niagara Movement. (Lecture 9/27). With a background steeped in education, Du Bois also has a significantly different up-bringing than Washington. In part, this may explain some of the differences in their ideologies. In his book, The Souls of Black Folk, Du Bois addresses Washington and his vision directly. Although Du Bois recognizes Washington’s successes and the caution in which Washington has had to employ in the South, Du Bois is still critical of him. “But aside from this, there is among educated and thoughtful colored men in all parts of the land a feeling of deep regret, sorrow, and apprehension at the wide currency and ascendency which some of Mr. Washington’s theories have gained.” (Du Bois, Souls of Black Folk, pg.36). Washington’s Atlanta Compromise received acclaim but the submissive tone and ideology is what Du Bois is critical of. This quote expresses the emotions felt by not just Du Bois but other educated black men and women throughout the country realizing the errors made in the speech. The acclaim the speech received is also an issue here
Where did some of modern America's issues originate from? The answer to that is the Progressive Era. The Legislation of that era laid all of the groundwork for today, and much of it is still in public debate today. Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson, three of the presidents from that era, all played roles in the groundwork. These presidents passed acts, tariffs, and amendments that are still with us, and debated today.
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois were very important African American leaders in the United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They both felt strongly that African Americans should not be treated unequally in terms of education and civil rights. They had strong beliefs that education was important for the African American community and stressed that educating African Americans would lead them into obtaining government positions, possibly resulting in social change. Although Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois had similar goals to achieve racial equality in the United States, they had strongly opposing approaches in improving the lives of the black population. Washington was a conservative activist who felt that the subordination to white leaders was crucial for African Americans in becoming successful and gaining political power. On the other hand, Du Bois took a radical approach and voiced his opinion through public literature and protest, making it clear that racial discrimination and segregation were intolerable. The opposing ideas of these African American leaders are illustrated in Du Bois’ short story, “Of the Coming of John”, where Du Bois implies his opposition to Washington’s ideas. He shows that the subordination of educated black individuals does not result in gaining respect or equality from the white community. In fact, he suggests that subordination would lead the black community to be further oppressed by whites. However contrasting their views might have been, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois were significant influential black leaders of their time, who changed the role of the black community in America.
During the Progressive Era, occurring from 1890 until 1920, progressives attempted to make many changes at a national level and were characterized by support for economic, social, and political reforms. By realizing the rapid industrial growth, poor class, and immigration, progressive’s goals were to relieve these issues and create laws that gave the common people more power. Progressive reformers gave significance to issues of black rights and also to women suffrage, however these issues had proved to be forgotten by Woodrow Wilson, whom of which was the president during this time. Although the reformers were not successful with these two issues, they seemed to be successful in improving much of the other negativity that had occurred during this era including the working conditions of the meat industry, child labor laws, and by changing the competition from large companies. In the end, all of these proved that the reformers turned out to be very successful in bringing reform to a national level. Along with these issues that the progressives tried to stop competition, they also fought many groups that tried to eliminate social classes along the way. Progressives were able to be successful in restoring economic competition, making the government more efficient, and stemming the tide of socialism.
Washington believed that blacks could promote their constitutional rights by impressing Southern whites with their economic and moral progress. He wanted them to forget about political power and concentrate on their farming skills and learning industrial trades.
Washington Is being remembered for the address of “Atlanta Exposition” In this particular speech, Booker T called on the Whites to provide Industrial, agricultural education and job for the Negroes. In return the African Americans will stop the demanding for civil rights and social equality. The message he passed to the Negroes was that social equality and politics were not really important as the immediate goals than independence and respectability of the economy. Washington had this belief that if blacks gained a foothold of the economy, and also proved how useful they can be to the Whites, then they will achieve social equality and civil rights because it will eventually be given to them in the long run. African Americans were urged and encouraged to work as skilled artisans, farmers, manual laborers, and domestics servants to show the Whites that all African Americans were not “liars and chicken thieves”.