Baby Thesis #3/Claim: W.E.B. Du Bois' approach to achieving racial equality was more effective than that of his contemporaries due to his advocacy for higher education, emphasis on civil rights, and the establishment of the Niagara Movement, which laid the groundwork for future civil rights organizations.
Evidence:
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Advocacy for Higher Education: Du Bois strongly believed in the "Talented Tenth," a concept where the top ten percent of educated African Americans would lead the fight for social change. He founded the Niagara Movement in 1905, which sought to promote higher education and has its roots in the idea that intellectual advancement is crucial for progress in society.
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Focus on Civil Rights: Du Bois was a co-founder of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and played a critical role in its early efforts to combat racial discrimination through legal challenges. For instance, he helped to develop the legal strategy that would later culminate in landmark Supreme Court cases.
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Niagara Movement and Its Impact: The Niagara Movement not only called for the immediate end to segregation and disenfranchisement but also set the stage for the civil rights activism that followed. This movement galvanized African Americans and fostered a sense of solidarity and urgency in the fight for equality.
Reasoning/Analysis:
Du Bois’ approach was more effective because it recognized the necessity of education and intellectual leadership in the quest for equality. By advocating for higher education and creating organizations that focused on civil rights, Du Bois targeted the systemic issues facing African Americans rather than merely addressing individual instances of discrimination. The Talented Tenth concept encouraged a new generation of leaders who could influence public policy and society at large, contrasting with other advocates who focused on vocational training and temporary solutions. Furthermore, the establishment of the NAACP allowed for the unification of varied tactics against racial oppression, making it a powerful force for change over the ensuing decades. Thus, Du Bois’ multi-faceted method not only organized significant activism during his time but also laid down foundational ideas and strategies that continue to resonate within modern civil rights movements.