Study: Booker T. Washington or W.E.B. Du Bois? Who Had More Cultural Force?

It is my impression of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois that they shared some common goals, but Du Bois raised concerns about Washington’s passivity or submission in his book, The Souls of Black Folk. I think that some people are naturally bent towards approving more of passivity and submission, and others want more action. But these thoughts go beyond personality differences. 

Still, Du Bois praised Washington for his adjustment at the time when it was necessary to tread lightly during the post-war era. He praised him for his conciliatory nature. Du Bois did challenge Washington’s lack of speaking forthrightly about the errors of the time. Du Bois, by far, wanted more assertiveness. 

I see generally the value of both psychologies. There are times when both types of actions are needed more than the alternative. I can point to conservative values as being more centered on fidelity and structure on the one hand, while liberal values tend to be more assertive. However, this gives the appearance to some that conservative values are associated with conformity. Leftism is highly critical of any appearance of hierarchical structures and "trickle-down economics." And this is their cultural "edge." This plays out in churches and in the political sphere today. Both contexts come up with these past men as well, as with their views of education and reform.

In many ways, it seems that history doesn’t change us very quickly. Things are not dissimilar today, but Booker T. Washington was strong in that he made no excuses. He appealed to the opposition with economic gain as the lure. He wanted a just society and rights for his race. He went about it in a way that he thought would bring the most positive results for all. I most admire him for the fact that he was tough but conciliatory and a rugged individualist. Those characteristics certainly appealed to the patriotic values of his time. 

Du Bois was an idealist. And he was highly principled. He would not rest until his principles were met. That is an equally admirable trait. His view about double-consciousness is interesting. I think that it prevails today on the left moreso. However, the concept that people can have two views of themselves is not relegated to one minority in America, either. I think that similar types of thinking come up in religious doctrines as well as personal identity and psycological topics. His thoughts were enlightening to me as a devout Christian, because we too see these types of "personal conflict" conundrums in our religious forms of worship. It was helpful for me to recognize the psychological parallel.

I think that both men deserve a lot of credit and admiration in context. As movers and shapers, they dedicated their lives to the furtherance of their race, and both labored diligently towards professional goals. Du Bois’ accomplishment as the first African-American Ph.D. graduate from Harvard was also a critical jump in the rights and respect due to African-Americans. 

It makes sense that he would not rest with the things that he accused Washington in the past of being complacent towards, with respect to the lack of legal rights afforded to the African-American population of the time. It is critical that we recognize these men and their input. Today we find some of the same human things circulating. Ideas triumph over time. I am grateful to be able to read these two giants of history.