WEB DuBois and Booker T. Washington were two of the greatest leaders of the 19th and 20th centuries who had great hopes for African American communities, but not they agreed on their strategies for black social and economic growth. Washington believed in education to learn new skills/trades, and patience, according to him, education “means teaching the present generation to provide a material or industrial base”, then wait for times to change, simply learn the trades with which you are able to survive. He preached a philosophy of self-help, racial solidarity and accepted that black Americans remained second-class citizens, Dubois could not. Dubois believed that African Americans could do better than accept their second-class citizenship by getting a college education and giving them a broad basis of understanding, so that they can make their own choices in life instead of only offering a certain type of work based exclusively on color. of his skin. Education should teach students to be critical thinkers and passionate citizens and not just to pursue a specific profession. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Booker T. Washington was born a slave in 1850 but died one of the most influential African American intellectuals of the late 19th century. When he became emancipated after the Civil War, he became one of the few African Americans to complete school, thus becoming a teacher. Washington argued that when whites saw African Americans contributing as productive members of society, equality would naturally follow. African Americans would have to abandon their short-term hopes for social and political equality. Washington expressed his vision for African Americans in the direction of the school he started. He believed that by providing the skills needed by society, African Americans would do their part, leading to acceptance by white Americans. He believed that blacks would eventually gain full participation in society by acting as responsible and reliable American citizens. Being born a slave and having to work so hard to succeed plays an important role in Washington's political philosophy. In the “Atlanta Compromise” speech, Washington argued that African Americans would have to accept disenfranchisement and social segregation if whites would allow them economic advancement, educational opportunities, and justice in the courts. Which, from what he saw growing up, it makes sense that this is what he thought was possible for the future. Not everyone had the same beliefs as Washington. DuBois publicly opposed Booker T. Washington's "Atlanta Compromise," an agreement that stated that vocational education for blacks was more valuable to them than social advantages such as higher education or political office. DuBois was born in 1868 to a free black family who owned land and did not experience racism until he went to Nashville, Tennessee, to attend Fisk University. He criticized Washington for not calling for equality for African Americans, as granted by the 14th Amendment. Dubois believed that all people of African descent had common interests and should work together in fighting for their freedom and not just for trade school jobs. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay I think the upbringings of both men played a large role in why they had such different views. Washington,.