TOW #21: W.E.B Dubois

In W.E.B. Dubois’s book, The Souls of Black Folk he describes his differing views from those of Booker T. Washington on the issue of how to properly and effectively integrate the black population into American society. This week I read a small exert from the book that covered the basis of Dubois’s argument. He uses reoccurring parallel structure in order to juxtapose his ideas with those of Washington’s and illustrate that his idea will have a greater and better impact on the lives of freedmen.

            Dubois was a Harvard graduate, the first African American to receive a doctorate degree from Harvard making him extremely well educated, but his lack of experience as a struggling freedman made his argument less accepted by those who were struggling at the time since Washington could actually connect to their situation as a fellow newly freed slave.  To represent the necessities which Washington’s plan neglects is listed as, “First, political power, Second, insistence on civil right, Third higher education of Negro youth” to illustrate that Washington’s plans do not incorporate these vital components of social equality but they are the most important parts of Dubois’s plan. He also describes the ideas of that Washington presents as well as the negative side effects that he overlooks.

            Washington advocated for industrial equality and planned for the blacks to receive an education based off of agriculture and other industrial fields in order to be able to achieve economical equality that will later develop into social equality. Dubois however, wants to formally educate ten percent of the black population so they gain political equality to then transfer to socially. He also uses the words of the constitution, “all men are created equally” to empower his point to any white readers as well as bring in an example of the political aspect his plan incorporates.

            As an advocate of a well-educated, politically influential black population Dubois presents his ideas and rejects those of Washington’s opposing plan through parallel structures, which provides juxtaposition. In a society developed from the premise that all men are created equal Dubois developed a radical plan in achieving true equality for all. 

W.E.B. Dubois: http://www.nps.gov/hafe/historyculture/w-e-b-dubois.htm