Educator and founder of the Tuskegee Institute, Booker T. Washington, is one of the most influential civil rights …show more content…
He thought the first step of change was the recognition the African American population was receiving from the Atlanta Exposition Address. He said, “. . . nothing in thirty years has given us more hope and encouragement, and drawn us so near to you of the white race, as this opportunity offered by the Exposition. . .” In the Atlanta Exposition Address, Washington told a story about a ship lost at sea and the people were dying of thirst. They were exchanging words with another ship. The main answer the other ship gave was to “. . . cast down your bucket where you are. . .” This statement was a prominent part of Washington’s speech. He told the whites to “cast down your bucket where you” to the African Americans who have played a major role in progressing the South by allowing the combining of the interests of both races. Booker T. Washington thought there should be momentary acceptance of differences and focus more on education and the betterment of the economy. He viewed the education of blacks to be a top priority, over any civil and political …show more content…
Du Bois, opposed Booker T. Washington’s views stated in the Atlanta Exposition Address. Du Bois said Washington’s Address shocked all and was interpreted “. . . in different ways: the radicals received it as a complete surrender of the demand for civil and political equality; the conservatives, as a generously conceived working basis for mutual understanding” (Du Bois, W.E.B). Because everyone interpreted it how they wanted to, all approved. Du Bois continues criticizing Washington referring to his “. . . singleness of vision. . .”, his “. . . narrow. . .” mindedness, and his followers as a “. . .cult. . .” (Du Bois). W.E.B Du Bois was the first African American to receive a PhD from Harvard which explains why he did not agree with Washington’s views of submission. He did not think African Americans should have to give up political power, civil rights, and higher education focusing “. . . all their energies on industrial education, the accumulation of wealth, and the conciliation of the South” (Du Bois). By giving up those rights they would be agreeing with the populace that their race of inferior and lose any self-respect that they had gained. Du Bois stated that “people who voluntarily surrender such respect, or cease striving for it, are not worth civilizing” (Du bois). It was Du Bois belief that the Negro population should continually fight against color discrimination, the right to vote, and equal