Writers W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington can both be considered two of the greatest leaders of the 19th and the 20th century to the African American community, depending on whom you agree with. Though, these two were considered leaders they had a large disagreement for which we like to call the “great debate” for the lack of better words. This debate between the two men were over strategies for blacks as it related to social and economic progress. Many have heard that there are two ways to skin a cat. This will describe Washington’s approach to achieving the better life for blacks and W.E.B. Du Bois as well. I think they wanted similar things for African Americans, they just went about it in two different ways. In order to truly understand them we must examine the differences of the two men, as I believe the ways for which we live, what we have experienced, and how we grow up does affect our decisions, thought process, and over all beliefs and goals. …show more content…
Washington was born a slave and he worked his way up the ladder. I believe because of this Washington’s ideologies are much more accommodating to whites. Having to live the life of a slave is something Du Bois didn’t experience and therefore couldn’t understand Washington’s submissive state of mind, ideologies, and goals for the black community. I want this to be clear that I am not agreeing with Washington on the matters of blacks, but I sympathize with him having knowing why he had such ideas. In Washington’s book, “Up From Slavery,” we get a glimpse into Washington’s upbringing and can begin to understand why he is considered an accommodator. We also get to see where some of his ideas