Question

W. E. B. Du Bois grew up north of the Mason-Dixie line. Marcus Garvey was born in Jamaica but lived in many places (including Panama and England) before rising to prominence in the US through his work in New York City. Booker T. Washington was born to an enslaved mother in Virginia and spent nine years enslaved himself. Ida B. Wells was born in Mississippi, freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, and then lived in Memphis, Tennessee until fleeing to Chicago for safety. For any TWO of these writers, compare how the opportunities and challenges they faced potentially shaped their writings. In particular, how might enslavement have influenced the cultural contributions of these writers? In your answer, also reference how the two writers you chose related to NAACP, freedmen’s towns, and/or the Exodusters.

Answer 1

W. E. B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington offer a illuminating contrast in how their different backgrounds and experiences shaped their writings and cultural contributions, particularly in relation to the historical context of enslavement and its lasting effects.

W. E. B. Du Bois

Du Bois grew up in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, a relatively affluent and integrated community compared to the hardships faced by many African Americans in the South. His upbringing in a predominantly white, albeit progressive environment shaped his worldview, leading him to emphasize the importance of higher education, civil rights, and active opposition to racial discrimination. This perspective is famously encapsulated in his notion of the "Talented Tenth," where he argued that a select group of educated African Americans should lead the fight for civil rights and uplift the race.

The challenges Du Bois faced, such as racism and discrimination at Harvard and his work with the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), informed his writings significantly. For example, his book "The Souls of Black Folk" confronts the struggle for African American identity and asserts the necessity of political engagement and social activism. His background, distinct from the lived experience of enslavement, allowed him to approach racial issues with a different lens, advocating for immediate and systemic change as opposed to a focus on vocational training or economic accommodation.

Booker T. Washington

In contrast, Booker T. Washington’s life experiences were deeply influenced by the legacy of enslavement. Born into slavery in Virginia, Washington's early life was marked by hardship and the struggle for education. After gaining his freedom, he worked at the Tuskegee Institute, where he emphasized vocational training and self-help as key components of progress for African Americans. Washington believed that economic independence and self-sufficiency were essential strategies for overcoming the repercussions of slavery and racial discrimination. His famous Atlanta Compromise speech articulated this approach, advocating that Black people should focus on economic advancement rather than immediate civil rights.

Washington's journeys led him to foster relationships with influential white leaders and businessmen who could assist in promoting education and economic empowerment in freedmen's towns. His philosophy, however, faced criticism from other Black leaders, including Du Bois, who felt it perpetuated a subordinate position for African Americans by compromising on civil rights advocacy.

Cultural Contributions and the Influence of Enslavement

The stark differences in their backgrounds and experiences of enslavement profoundly influenced their contributions to Black culture and thought. Du Bois, while aware of the historical context of slavery, positioned himself in a way that sought an equal footing with mainstream society by advocating for civil rights and higher education. His experiences were more about navigating racial barriers in a context of already having certain privileges associated with his upbringing.

Washington, on the other hand, embodied the direct aftermath of slavery’s dehumanization and its economic implications. His approach was practical and rooted in survival tactics learned from the legacy of enslavement. His focus was on building a foundation of self-reliance within the community, acknowledging that many of his contemporaries were forced to contend with the remnants of slavery's constraints.

In conclusion, while both Du Bois and Washington were deeply concerned with the advancement of African Americans, their writings and cultural contributions were shaped by their divergent experiences with enslavement and the systemic racism that followed. Washington's emphasis on vocational training reflected an immediate need for economic stability, while Du Bois's advocacy for civil rights illustrated a broader vision for equality and representation, ultimately contributing to the rich tapestry of African American thought and activism. Understanding these unique influences is essential for grasping the complexity of the Black experience in the post-emancipation era.