African American Leaders 1865-1900
by: Noor Sandhu
The African Americans from 1865-1900 wanted physical protection from abuse by the whites, equal civil rights, a voice in politics, and economic independence. In order to achieve these goals, the African Americans needed some good and strong leaders. Despite their different views on how to achieve equality, Booker T Washington and W.E.B Dubois were the most important leaders of the African American movement from 1865-1900 because they both gave African Americans hope that someday they could achieve complete equality.
Booker T Washington believed that the African Americans should not waste time worrying about segregation. Instead, he urged African Americans to accept the fact that there is segregation. Booker T Washington’s efforts were focused on making a place in society, so that eventually African Americans could earn equality. He believed that African American could not get equality until they put themselves in position where denying equality would not be possible. He wanted African Americans to focus on their education, financial progress, and maintaining close community ties. They needed to pave their way through work, determination, skill development, and education. If they focused on all of these, eventually the African American community would be filled with people with good professions such as lawyers and doctors. African Americans should focus on how they were useful for the economy and America’s growth. He believe that while the African Americans were improving on their stance in society, they should just avoid politics and confrontations. If they did this, the rest of America would realize that the African Americans deserve equality, and the African Americans are no less or different than them. Washington believe that African Americans could not ask for equality until they had an advanced community.
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Washington believed that regardless of race, if an individual had a high degree of skill in a profession, the individual would eventually become recognized and obtain an equal place in society. “There is no defense or security for any of us except in the highest intelligence and development of all. If anywhere there are efforts tending to curtail the fullest growth of the Negro, let these efforts be turned into stimulating, encouraging, and making him the most useful and intelligent citizen.”(Washington, “Atlantic Compromise”) This line was said by Washington in his famous speech known as Atlantic Compromise. The Atlantic Compromise was the speech where he publicly stated what he believed. The quote is saying that there is no other way than to educate yourself and make yourself a useful.
W.E.B Du Bois had different education and political views than Booker T Washington. Du Bois wanted African Americans to succeed in arts and science. He thought that Washington’s belief would keep the African Americans in lower social and economic classes. Du Bois believed that African Americans did not need to wait for their equality. He believed that political rights and equality was their right. They did not need to wait till the whites said they could have it. He said that African Americans were Americans and they did not have to prove themselves worthy of something that the Constitution of the United States granted for all Americans. They should just be able to demand for equality and receive it.
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“I believe in Liberty for all men; the space to stretch their arms and their souls; the right to breath and the right to vote, the freedom to chose their friends, enjoy sunshine and ride on the railroads, uncursed by color; thinking, dreaming, working as they will in a kingdom of God and love.”(Du Bois) Even though this a quote by W.E.B Du Bois, Booker T Washington would most likely agree with it. They both still had the same goal of achieving equality but with different approaches on how to reach their goal. Both of them were good and strong leaders. Their beliefs and works had impacted the African American movement in 1865-1900 greatly.