expense of the students. In the early years of Fisk University’s history, the enrolled students considered themselves part of a talented tenth that was primed for positions of leadership among the race. According to historian Joe M. Richardson, “Fisk students were not content just to write about equal rights, they worked actively to retain or secure them (Berry 2005). Before 1924, racial tension at Fisk University concerning white leadership during this time simply foreshadowed future efforts by eager black students determined to emerge from their marginal status in society (Berry 2005). During the administration of Dr. Fayettee McKenzie from 1915-1925, tension over policies grew into conflict. Some of the policies enforced focused more …show more content…
Without any regard to black concerns, McKenzie launched special efforts to court the white community that hailed the university’s conservative racial policy as a key to racial understanding. He fostered impressions that Fisk subscribed to a separation of the races, as Tuskegee had, and therefore prospered (Berry 2005). These impressions however led to increased racial tensions, from 1924 to 1925, at that university and ultimately culminated into a strike in February of 1925. This strike would eventually force the resignation of McKenzie and lead to important changes in the school. W.E. Du Bois would return to his alma mater to speak at his daughter’s graduation June 2, 1924. During his speech, he blasted President McKenzie for the many student restrictions and angrily expressed his dissatisfaction at black females singing at white men’s clubs to raise money for the university. Already having a heated opposition and dispute to Booker T. Washington’s views on black education, and with the exploitation of black females at a higher educational institution, Du Bois would fully support a strike. The Fisk of 1924, as described by Du Bois, was not spreading the spirit of freedom. Du Bois states, “In Fisk today, “discipline is choking freedom; threats are replacing inspiration, iron-clad rules, suspicion, tale bearing are most universal” ( Du Bois 2001 Pp 66). Du Bois openly criticized the policies as he delivered
Although Du Bois new that jobs and education were a good thing he didn’t feel like it was enough and he made sure to voice that. Du Bois believed that, African Americans rights and self-worth was more important and education would come with their rights, which is completely right. Du Bois plan was to fight for political power first, that way there is African Americans in office to let the African Americans voices be heard and let them have some say in the decisions being made about them. Once they received political power they then would fight for civil rights because once they received political power it would be harder for them to deprive African Americans of their rights when there is an African American in office with higher power. Du Bois then felt that once the political power and civil right were received then the fight for higher education for the African American youth would be the next battle. Once you have rights and political power to make decisions he felt higher education could be received and never taken from them again. Du Bois plan was problematic but
Du Bois was born to Alfred and Mary Silvina Du Bois, a pair who had African, Dutch, and English descendant, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Due to their unique background, the Du Bois were able to own a good amount of land in their town. They were, however, far from wealthy. When W.E.B Du Bois was 18, he relied on donations from family and friends to afford to attend Fisk University, a majority black college in Nashville, Tennessee. This was the first time he’d ever been to the south and this major shift in environment is when Du Bois truly got a feel of the weight of his identity. Living in Tennessee meant dealing with Jim Crow and race based bigotry. Du Bois was struck by the amount of injustice and ignorance facing blacks in the nation and knew that something had to be done. After finishing his courses at Fisk University, Du Bois applied and accepted a place as a freshman in Harvard University and eventually went on to receive a
While working as a professor at Atlanta University, W.E.B. Du Bois rose to national prominence when he very publicly opposed Booker T. Washington's "Atlanta Compromise," an agreement that asserted that vocational education for blacks was more valuable to them than social advantages like higher education or political office. Du Bois criticized Washington for not demanding equality for African Americans, as granted by the 14th Amendment. Du Bois fought what he believed was an inferior strategy, subsequently becoming a spokesperson for full and equal rights in every realm of a person's life.
Thesis Statement: In “The Atlantic Exposition Address” by Booker T. Washington and “Of Mr. Book T. Washington and Others” by W. E. B. Du Bois three points of contention are civil rights, political rights and higher education.
Your assignment is to compare the missions of the UNIA and the NAACP and write about each organization’s approaches to confronting discrimination. You will then assume the role of a young African American living in the 1920s who has joined one of the organizations and explain your reasons for joining in a brief paragraph.
Throughout this essay, I will be examining the effects of one of the most controversial university enrollments. James Meredith paved the way for African American acceptance into a historically all White University. No matter how much adversity Meredith would encounter, he would not give up or give in to institutional racism. The want to keep Ole Miss segregated by those there did not hinder his success. In an attempt to end racial segregation, the Supreme Court ordered the admittance of James Meredith to the campus. This action was a clear defiance of racial segregation. This resulted in an abundant amount of not only riots but also casualties. Meredith paved the way for other African-Americans
On September 18, 1895, an African-American spokesman and leader Booker T. Washington spoke in the front of thousands of whites at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta. His famous “Atlanta Compromise” was one of the most influential speeches in American. regardless Washington soothed his listeners’ concerns about the what they said “uppity” blacks. Mr. Washington was a very well-known black educator. Even though he was born into slavery he strongly felt and believed that racism would in fact end once the blacks put effort into labor skills and proved themselves to society. He pressured industrial education for African-Americans so that they would gain respect from the whites. Washington often was good for ignoring discrimination because it didn’t phase him. But he was so nervous
life in the US since before he had gained entry into Fisk University, his first attended college.
Of the two most prolific and acclaimed voices in the anti-slavery movements of the early 20th Century, W. E. B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington stand as peerless giants across from one another. The former seeing the pursuit of education in a hallowed light, while the latter praising the simplicity of practicality; Du Bois and Washington clashed in their methods for African Americans to achieve equality, following the aftermath of emancipated slavery. At this time in the United States, African Americans still experienced severe segregation and discrimination, both socially and economically, with their newfound freedom only bringing them out of the frying pan and into the fire. While Du Bois advocated for blacks to educate themselves, with the same higher education whites received in order to advance both socially and politically, Washington called for blacks to immerse in vocational skills in order to win
The struggle for equality and the battle to have one’s suppressed voice be heard is prevalent throughout the history of the United States. The Native Americans, women, and even Catholics have all encountered discrimination and belittlement in one shape or form, which eventually urged individuals within those groups to rise up and demand equal opportunity. As the United States began to shift away from slavery, one of the most deep rooted, controversial dilemmas aroused- what do black people need to do in order to gain civil rights both economically and socially? Booker T. Washington’s “Atlanta Exposition Address” and W.E.B. Du Bois's “The Soul of Black Folks” were pieces of writings influenced by the puzzle that black people were left to solve. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois had contrasting ideas, but they both contributed a piece to the puzzle in hopes of solving the never ending mind game.
However, Du Bois believed that people must fight for what they believe in and to never give up until the goal is met. In David Blatty’s article, “W. E. B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington and the Origins of the Civil Rights Movement” he states, “In contrast to Washington, Du Bois maintained that education and civil rights were the only way to equality, and that conceding their pursuit would simply serve to reinforce the notion of blacks as second-class citizens.” This quote shows how Du Bois was very determined to reach his goal of ending color discrimination. In the article, “Difference between Booker T Washington and WEB Du Bois,” it states, “Political and social accommodation was a trademark of Booker T. Washington’s Atlanta Compromise. This speech included a pledge not to demand equal rights such as suffrage, racial integration, or liberal arts education.” This quote portrays how Booker T. Washington believed that it was crucial to approach color discrimination
Born to poverty on February 23, 1868 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Du Bois was of French Huguenot, Dutch, and Afro-American ancestry. He graduated from high school in 1884 as a penniless orphan. However, upon the insistence of the principal of his school, who recognized Du Bois' intelligence and talent, he sought a college education. Through working part-time and with a scholarship donated by members of his church, Du Bois attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee (Reed, 1997 & Logan, 1971). During his time at Fisk, Du Bois was exposed to racism and lynchings, as well as the scientific ideas of truth by way of empirical investigation and statistical methods. These experiences spurred his interest in the use of science and scholarship in the struggle for social justice. Du Bois realized that scientific inquiry could be a powerful tool in the quest to transform society and obtain
Few men have influenced the lives of African-Americans as much as William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) Du Bois is considered more of a history-maker than a historian(Aptheker, "The Historian"). Dr. Du Bois conducted the initial research on the black experience in the United States. Civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. have referred to Du Bois as a father of the Civil Rights Movement. Du Bois conducted the initial research on the black experience in the United States, and paved the way for the Pan-African and Black Power movements. This paper will describe his life, work, influence in the black community, and much publicized civil dispute with another black leader, Booker T. Washington.
White grew up in Atlanta Georgia and came from a moderately well to do family. He attended Atlanta University. The summer of his senior year White experienced a great amount of racism while interning for Atlanta Standard Life Insurance. Those actions of racism inspired him to call for a chapter of the NAACP at Atlanta University. This did not occur due to lack of organization and participation. Following graduation Walter White worked at Atlanta Standard Life Insurance. He was very successful as an insurance salesman. This did not deter his will for racial civil rights. White, along with other coworkers, were successful in stopping the school board from cutting eighth grade from black schools to finance white school. An Atlanta branch of the NAACP was soon to follow. White’s life from henceforth would greatly evolve from a well-established insurance salesman to a prominent figure in the NAACP and the civil rights movement.
Racial discrimination, political, social and economic inequality during the late 19th century and early 20th century led various leaders within the black community to rise up and address the appalling circumstances that African Americans were forced to endure. Among these leaders were Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois whom possessed analogous desires as it pertained to the advancement and upliftment of the black race. While both individuals were fighting for the same cause and purpose they embraced contrary ideologies and approaches to African American struggle. In Booker T. Washington’s book “Up from Slavery” African Americans were encouraged to be passive and focus on vocational education whereas in W.E.B. DuBois book “The Souls of Black Folk”, African Americans were encouraged to fight for their merited rights and focus on academic education. However, although Washington was convinced that his ideologies would sincerely uplift the black race, they actually proved to be detrimental, leaving DuBois ideology to be the most reasonable and appropriate solution for the advancement of the black race.