*Washington and Du Bois*

Consider how Washington and Du Bois are "in conversation" with one another. How do their respective opinions differ?

In W.E.B. Du Bois's work, “Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others” Du Bois responds to Washington’s Atlanta Exposition Address of 1895 and states that “the time is come when one may speak in all sincerity and utter courtesy of the mistakes and shortcomings of Mr. Washington’s career, as well as of his triumphs, without being thought captious or envious, and without forgetting that it is easier to do ill than well in the world.” (pg. 885)

In Washington’s address, he expresses the idea that “the agitation of questions of social equality is the extremist folly, and that the progress in the enjoyment of all the privileges that will come to us must be the result of severe and constant struggle rather than of artificial forging.” (pg. 763) He is not, as many blacks would, demanding equal rights and reform immediately, but believes rights will come as the race proves itself by contributing to the country. He also says “No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilting a field as in writing a poem. It is at the bottom of life we must begin, and not at the top. Nor should we permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities.” (pg. 761-2) When he says to ‘cast down your buckets where you are’ he’s referring to the south and that they should help themselves so that they will “be prepared for the exercises of these privileges [the law.]” (pg. 763)

Du Bois does not agree at all with Washington’s idea of how to gain equality. He says “Mr. Washington represents in Negro thought the old attitude of adjustment and submission… and Mr. Washington’s programme practically accepts the alleged inferiority of the Negro races.” (pg. 888-9) Du Bois describes Washington’s idea as a policy of submission which forces them to give up political power, insistence on civil rights and higher education of youth which concentrating solely on industrial education, acclamation of wealth and conciliation of the South. He questions Washington’s theory by asking “Is it possible, and probable, that nine millions of men can make effective progress in economic lines if they are deprived of political rights, made a servile caste, and allowed only the most meagre chance for developing their exceptional men?”(pg. 889) Whereas Washington advocated his races own efforts to succeed and achieve equality, Du Bois promotes the idea that blacks should press for civil rights; “By every civilized and peaceful method we must strive for the rights which the world accords to men…” (pg 893)