W.E.B Du Bois, “Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others” and
“Of the Meaning of Progress”
Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others
● Booker T. Washington advocated for a pragmatic approach to civil rights and
social equality for Black people.
● He believed in prioritizing vocational and industrial education to promote
economic advancement and self-improvement for Black Americans.
● Washington's philosophy, known as the "Atlanta Compromise," suggested that
Black people should focus on proving their worth through economic success and
productivity.
● He believed that by demonstrating their usefulness and value to society, Black
Americans could gradually gain respect and acceptance from white Americans.
● Washington's approach was criticized by others, including W.E.B. Du Bois, who
argued that it perpetuated a subordinate position for Black Americans and
neglected the importance of civil rights and full political participation in
achieving true equality.
● The essay "Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others" by W.E.B. Du Bois critiques
the ideas and approach of Booker T. Washington, a prominent African-American
leader at the time.
● Du Bois criticizes Washington's emphasis on vocational and industrial education
for Black Americans, arguing that it perpetuates a subordinate role for the Black
community in society.
● Washington's approach, according to Du Bois, prioritizes economic advancement
at the expense of civil rights and political equality.
● Du Bois asserts that education should focus on developing intellectual and
cultural capabilities, not just vocational skills, in order to uplift the Black
community as a whole.
● He criticizes Washington's stance on social segregation, arguing that it ultimately
reinforces racial discrimination and perpetuates inequality.
● Du Bois advocates for higher education and political engagement among African
Americans to challenge systemic racism and advocate for their rights.
● He believes that the talented tenth, the most educated and capable Black
individuals, should lead the way in advocating for social and political change.
● Du Bois concludes by emphasizing the importance of higher ideals and
aspirations for the Black community rather than accepting segregation and
submission.
Du Bois, W.E.B. "Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others." The Souls of
Black Folks, edited by Brent Hayes Edwards, Oxford UP, 2007, pp. 33-44.
“Of the Meaning of Progress”
Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others
● Booker T. Washington advocated for a pragmatic approach to civil rights and
social equality for Black people.
● He believed in prioritizing vocational and industrial education to promote
economic advancement and self-improvement for Black Americans.
● Washington's philosophy, known as the "Atlanta Compromise," suggested that
Black people should focus on proving their worth through economic success and
productivity.
● He believed that by demonstrating their usefulness and value to society, Black
Americans could gradually gain respect and acceptance from white Americans.
● Washington's approach was criticized by others, including W.E.B. Du Bois, who
argued that it perpetuated a subordinate position for Black Americans and
neglected the importance of civil rights and full political participation in
achieving true equality.
● The essay "Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others" by W.E.B. Du Bois critiques
the ideas and approach of Booker T. Washington, a prominent African-American
leader at the time.
● Du Bois criticizes Washington's emphasis on vocational and industrial education
for Black Americans, arguing that it perpetuates a subordinate role for the Black
community in society.
● Washington's approach, according to Du Bois, prioritizes economic advancement
at the expense of civil rights and political equality.
● Du Bois asserts that education should focus on developing intellectual and
cultural capabilities, not just vocational skills, in order to uplift the Black
community as a whole.
● He criticizes Washington's stance on social segregation, arguing that it ultimately
reinforces racial discrimination and perpetuates inequality.
● Du Bois advocates for higher education and political engagement among African
Americans to challenge systemic racism and advocate for their rights.
● He believes that the talented tenth, the most educated and capable Black
individuals, should lead the way in advocating for social and political change.
● Du Bois concludes by emphasizing the importance of higher ideals and
aspirations for the Black community rather than accepting segregation and
submission.
Du Bois, W.E.B. "Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others." The Souls of
Black Folks, edited by Brent Hayes Edwards, Oxford UP, 2007, pp. 33-44.
