THE SOUTHERN TIMES

W.E.B. DuBois (1868-1963)

William Edward Burghardt DuBois was an important civil rights leader, distinguished from Booker T. Washington by his contradictory philosophies regarding black progress. In fact, this differentiation caused the bond between the two to be severed. DuBois, unlike Washington, did not believe that blacks who became economically successful would eventually experience an enhancement in race relations, whether progressive or drastic. He desired social and political amalgamation, in addition to an improvement in higher education for at least 10% of the African Americans residing in the United States.

 

However, powerful racial contention existed in the late 1800's. Illegal hangings, most commonly by mobs, and burnings at the stake occurred frequently with victims of such being African Americans. Prior to his alteration in perspective, DuBois thought that knowledge and truth would benefit the process of various races understanding and accepting one another. As a result of these, he concluded that action was required in order for African Americans and whites to experience acceptance and comprehension.

 

In addition, DuBois was an Atlanta University professor. There, Dr. DuBois taught political science and economics. He also assisted and cooperated in the founding of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

 

In his book The Souls of Black Folk, DuBois wrote:Manly self-respect is worth more than land and houses, and . . . a people who voluntarily surrender such respect, or cease striving for it, are not worth criticizing.

 

DuBois concluded: So far as Mr. Washington preaches Thrift, Patience, and Industrial Training for the masses, we must hold up his hands and strive with him. . . . But, as far as Mr. Washington apologizes for injustices, North or South, does not rightly value the privilege and duty of voting, belittles the emasculating effects of caste distinctions, and opposes the higher training and ambition of our brighter minds, as far as he, the South or the Nation, does this we must unceasingly and firmly oppose them.