HIST 2112 Chapter Response Paper: Response Paper #1
Jim Crow laws ruled the early civil rights movements and provided a solution to violent
race relations: segregation. Several African-American leaders arose during this era and helped
improve racial discrimination. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B DuBois were two notable
leaders; however, they had differing opinions. Washigto’s stadpoit o self-improvement
was favored by whites because it accommodated racism, but DuBois desired immediate
equality.
Booker T. Washington founded Tuskegee Normal and focused the curriculum on
practical skills. He encouraged graduates to help improve black communities and ultimately
prove to whites that they could contribute to society. This mindset was maintained in
Washigto’s Atlata Coproise, here he discouraged African-Americans from focusing on
political and civil rights. Instead, Washington suggested that African-Americans would be
granted rights when whites notice their success. W.E.B DuBois had a contrasting idea for the
path to equality: Negros ust isist otiually, i seaso ad out of seaso, that otig is
necessary to manhood, that color discrimination is barbarism, and that black boys need
education as well as hite oys. DuBois acknowledged that political action would receive
opposition from many whites, but he believed African-Americans had a responsibility to stand
up for themselves.
Booker T. Washington offered a more agreeable approach to dealing with race relations
by encouraging African-Americans to strive for social and economic growth in a segregated
society eause the ejoyet of all priileges that ill oe to us ust e the result of
severe and constant struggle rather than artificial forig. Washington received support even
though his approach did not attempt to change any of the immediate issues. However, many
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Document Summary
Jim crow laws ruled the early civil rights movements and provided a solution to violent race relations: segregation. Several african-american leaders arose during this era and helped improve racial discrimination. Booker t. washington and w. e. b dubois were two notable leaders; however, they had differing opinions. Washi(cid:374)gto(cid:374)"s sta(cid:374)dpoi(cid:374)t o(cid:374) self-improvement was favored by whites because it accommodated racism, but dubois desired immediate equality. Booker t. washington founded tuskegee normal and focused the curriculum on practical skills. He encouraged graduates to help improve black communities and ultimately prove to whites that they could contribute to society. Washi(cid:374)gto(cid:374)"s atla(cid:374)ta co(cid:373)pro(cid:373)ise, (cid:449)here he discouraged african-americans from focusing on political and civil rights. Instead, washington suggested that african-americans would be granted rights when whites notice their success. African-americans did not want to wait patiently for their rights to be granted to them. Dubois offered a more aggressive approach by creating a platform for political action.
