“Of Mr.Booker T. Washington and others” was written by W.E.B Dubois as a critique of Washington and his views on the improvement of black life. The “Atlanta Exposition” was aimed at improving the tension between white and black Americans in the south. The thesis of this speech was that black Americans should be more concerned with furthering their economic standing instead of their social standing. Washington urged blacks to join the work force in the south where they would be given a chance. In front of a predominantly white audience he asked that white southerners hired blacks because of their love for white people they serviced.
How freedoms for African Americans were socially, politically, and economically limited from 1865 to 1900 After the Civil War ended with Union victory, constitutional amendments were ratified to grant equal rights and freedom to enslaved African Americans; however, these rights were limited, restricted by those discriminating against African Americans. This new opportunity, promising African Americans better lives soon turned into lives full of terror and poverty. Many were poor, segregated in public facilities, and harassed, threatened or beaten by White Supremacy terror groups. Instead of living hopeful lives full with prosperity the African Americans wished for, they struggled to survive under conditions that gave them as much freedom as slaves had. African Americans’ social rights were very limited partially because of the Black Codes and Jim Crow laws.
For example, Du Bois believed that blacks should be able to go to the same school and use the same resources as whites. Washington, however, believed that segregation did not matter as long as blacks received the same chance to receive an education. W.E.B Du Bois and Booker T. Washington agreed that lynching, beating and discrimination should be abolished. They both worked to end discrimination despite their differences by taking sides in supreme and local court
It also limited job opportunities for blacks. Martin spent his life working for freedom and equality for all people. Martin hoped that one day all Americans would have equal rights.
Equality Opportunity’ in that the burdens of racism can only be overcome by taking race into account. Affirmative action also aims to reflect the racial diversity of the nation, the ‘Equality of Results’, within schools, the firm and the workplace. Despite being mainly supported by Democrats, and rejected by Republicans President Nixon played a significant role in affirmative action by instituting ‘set aside’ policies to reserve a certain percentage for minorities. The main advantage of affirmative action is that is leads to a greater diversity in societies main institutions, arguably this would not be achieved had things been left as they were. It is also argued on the basis of righting those previously wronged, by opening areas of education and employment that would not have previously been available to minorities.
It could be argued that minorities have achieved equality since there are increasing graduation rates amongst all ethnic groups between 2001 and 2008. For example, black graduation increased from 78% to 80%, Hispanic increased from 57% to 60%. Asians remained at a constant 85%. Despite this, whites still have a higher graduation rate than blacks and Hispanics at 84%. In addition to this, blacks and Hispanics are more likely to be unemployed than whites and Asians.
In the end, one plan is always going to be better when put into action, and in this case I believe that W.E.B. Dubois had the better plan. Both of these men set out to fix poverty and discrimination against blacks in America, but their strategies were radically different. Booker T. Washington felt that the only way to become equals in an unequal society is for blacks to work hard and become something. His idea was that if enough blacks were to become doctors, lawyers, businessman, and become successful in general that they could not be considered anything other than equal.
However, you could argue that although they had won the right to vote, segregation still continued throughout the South and lynchings and discrimination continued in the North. I would say that there was substantial change for blacks in the North as they were getting more highly paid and were starting to receive better education, although the lack of equality still remained between black and white Americans as black Americans were still being paid much less than white workers. I also believe that as there were many black campaigns and activists after the war, this could suggest that there was still a want for equality on the black Americans half which puts forward the idea that despite having helped fought for their country, they were still being treated as second class
In an attempt to reverse the injustice and actions from the past regarding discrimination, government has implemented legislation such as the Affirmative Action. Affirmative Action by definition is “the effort to improve the employment and educational opportunities of women and members of minority groups through preferential treatment in job hiring, college admissions, the awarding of government contracts, and allocation of other social benefits.” (Meriam-Webster) This act attempts to eradicate social dislocation by giving minorities a fair chance at having the same opportunities, that which a person considered “non-minority” would have, but the questions poses…does the Affirmative Action hinder or help the situation of minority groups? Does
Did the laws work to eliminate discrimination? The Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 all brought an end to a lot of discrimination against African Americans. In all of these laws it gave African Americans the same rights that whites were allowed. No there is still discrimination in today’s society for African American’s. There is still a struggle with employment and being paid the same amount as a white counterpart in the same job.