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To heal the racial divides in American society, we need W.E.B. DuBois’ ideas. We are still far
from achieving racial equality between blacks and whites. Discrimination, wage gaps, and prejudices are
still large problems. According to the Pew Research Center, 79% of blacks still believe that “a lot needs
to be done in order to achieve racial equality.” Research by the Pew Research Center also says that
instead of closing gaps between blacks and whites, some gaps have widened. In 1985, on average,
whites earned $75,224 more than blacks in median household income. The already large gap widened to
$84,960 in 2012, increasing by $9,736 (King’s Dream Remains an Elusive Goal).
Booker T. Washington, born a slave in Virginia in 1856, became known for his economically
centered views. Washington’s ideas were controversial to some blacks, because he didn’t focus on civil
and political rights. Instead, he believed in the importance of economic independence. He thought that
it wasn’t necessary for blacks to live alongside whites, as long as blacks had jobs and were able to
provide for themselves; a “separate but equal” society. Washington said, “In all things purely social we
can be as separate as the five fingers, and yet one as the hand in all things essential to human progress”
(The Souls of Black Folk). This means that socially blacks and whites don’t have to be together, but as a
human race they must work together. Booker T. Washington believed that the greatest impediment to
racial equality was blacks not making enough money, so they couldn’t live in their own society.
Washington believed that in order for blacks to be economically independent they needed to be
“educat[ed] in the crafts, industrial and farming skills and [cultivated in] the virtues of patience,
enterprise and thrift” (Booker T. & W.E.B.). Therefore, it can be inferred that Washington wanted
government assistance in schooling for blacks, but other than that did not seek much from the
Fiona Conway
Green Group
government because of his belief in self help. (“Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except
In contrast to Washington W.E.B. DuBois, born free in Massachusetts in 1868, held politically
centered views. In DuBois’ book, Souls of Black Folk, he writes “The power of the ballot we need in sheer
defense, else what shall save us from a second slavery?” This means that blacks need to be able to vote
to get their voices heard, or else whites will institute policies that oppress blacks. DuBois also believed
that it was vital for blacks to be educated so that they could understand what they needed most. DuBois
said “Education must not simply teach work - it must teach life” (Booker T. & W.E.B.). DuBois believed
that the biggest impediment to racial equality in the United States was restriction on black voting rights
(e.g. poll taxes and literacy tests) and believed that the government should allow all black men to vote.
W.E.B. DuBois’ ideas would help narrow the racial divide in the country more than Washington’s
because they would move the country forward in ways not favored by Washington. Although
Washington was fighting for economic independence, which might help lift blacks economically,
Washington’s idea that civil rights weren’t as important would leave inequities in place. A study done by
the Pew Research Center says that only 32% of blacks believe that “a lot” of progress has been made
towards “Martin Luther King’s dream of racial equality” (King’s Dream Remains an Elusive Goal). King’s
main focus was on civil rights, so if Washington’s ideas were put into practice, it might lower the already
small percentage of blacks that believe a lot of progress has been made. DuBois’ ideas do, even if they
have a few shortcomings, however. For example, DuBois wanted a lot of government involvement and
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Green Group
quick action. He created the Niagara Movement that was to end discrimination but it was “denounced
as radical by most whites at the time” (U.S. History). Today’s government has a Republican majority, so
DuBois might find it difficult to pass any laws. However, in the end DuBois would prove better because
he is fighting for many more rights than Washington, which would allow blacks to have their voices
heard and make the changes they want. This is why W.E.B. DuBois would be better than Booker T.
Washington at healing our racial relations in our current society.
Fiona Conway
Green Group
Works Cited
DuBois, William Edward Burdhardt. "Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others."
"King’s Dream Remains an Elusive Goal; Many Americans See Racial Disparities."
kings-dream-remains-an-elusive-goal-many-americans-see-racial-disparities/.
"Booker T. & W.E.B.: The Debate between W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington."
PBS, www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/race/etc/road.html.