Similarities Between Booker T. Washington And W. E. B. Du Bois

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“If there is anybody in this land who thoroughly believes that the meek shall inherit the earth they have not often let their presence be known” (Du Bois). This is a quote from African American rights activists W.E.B. Du Bois. It’s a good example of how he views the situation at this time, and how he works mentally as a rights activist. This was a very dangerous time for the African American population in America. During this time period, there were two very well-known men who protested for rights for the African American community. Their names were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. Both had very different views, but were both doing it as a way to help the African American community. However, for this time period, W.E.B. Du Bois’ philosophies …show more content…

What Du Bois says here is important, because it deals with three very important topics all at once. He mentions African-Americans needing the right to vote, how discrimination because of color is very wrong, and how black children need education. All in this one sentence has three important view on different subjects beneath the umbrella of African-Americans being treated the same as white people. …show more content…

“What must we do then? We must complain. Yes, plain, blunt complain, ceaseless agitation, unfailing exposure of dishonesty and wrong-- this is the ancient, unerring way to liberty, and we must follow it” (Document D). Complaining in that fashion would prove a point to others about DuBois and the people who followed him. By voicing how they feel about this treatment by complaining, it’s showing that they aren’t going to back down and will be vocal about this sort of issue. This makes them seem more powerful in the eyes of the white population, which is incredibly helpful for them. Booker T. Washington had an extremely different approach to these problems. He was more passive, and even seemed to be begging the white community for their rights. This is very different from how Du Bois is more forceful when it came to his approach to this. “As we have proved our loyalty to you in the past, in nursing your children, watching by the sickbed of your mothers and fathers, and often following them with tear-dimmed eyes to their graves, so in the future, in our humble way, we shall stand by you with a devotion that no foreigner can

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