Racial Integration

        Racial integration is an important topic. It was especially important during the 1800s when slavery played a big role in the Americas. Even after slavery was legally abolished in the late 1800s and early 1900s, prejudice and racism were still common. A lot of racial disputes went on between blacks and whites. If these disputes between both races would have continued the way they were going, the United States economy would most likely be less prosperous. It would be less prosperous because without the help of the Negro race lots inventions that have been contributed from them would not exist, and with out their help there would be a huge demand for labor.

        During the late 1800s there were two important gentlemen, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois, who were aware of the racial dilemma that was taking place. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois were men in favor of eliminating racial disputes, but had different approaches on how to achieve them. Both men had differences and similarities in terms of their expression of ideas about racial integration: Washington had a gradual ideology while Du Bois possessed an immediate one. Regardless of their differences in ideology their accomplishments in racial integration has been beneficial in three main areas: education, civil equality and political rights.

        In Washington’s “The Atlanta Exposition Address”, Washington talks about how crucial it is for the nation’s well being that both races work together instead of being against each other. He

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states how without the cooperation of both races businesses would have a tough time succeeding, considering that the black community of the south accounts for one third of the south’s entire population (Washington 3). Washington states that by accomplishing this racial integration a new era of industrial success would be at hand. It is through his address at the exposition in Atlanta that Booker T. Washington becomes famous and gives his ideas about integration, how it should be done, and what favorable outcomes will come from it through his address. In his address he explains how the white race is willing to help blacks progress but that the black community is doubtful and is hesitant to let them offer a helping hand. Washington illustrates his idea through an analogy of a two vessels; one that is in distress and the other that is offering help to the distressed vessel. In his analogy the distressed vessel represents the black race while the helping vessel is the white race. The distressed vessel’s crew is dying of thirst and so the helping vessel ask them to “cast down your bucket were you are” (Washington 2) in order to give them water.  Although Washington’s ideas are conveyed with noble intentions, Du Bois, along with other people find flaws and shortcomings in Washington’s beliefs that through a lot of hard work the southern black community will be able to achieve social equality.

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        In Du Bois’s essay, “Of Mr. T. Washington and Other”, he acknowledges Washington as a man with great intentions for both races, but Du Bois nonetheless disagrees with the methods Washington is using to accomplish his goal. Du Bois starts by attacking Washington’s originality, saying that his ideas actually come from the Free Negroes from 1830 to war time and from the American Missionary Association. Du Bois then states that most of Washington’s rise in fame and popularity was based in part by luck. Du Bois says that such is due to the time period in which Washington came up ...

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