Hook/Grabber: The struggle for African American civil rights in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was defined by two towering figures whose differing philosophies shaped the course of a movement—Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois.
Background: In the aftermath of the Civil War, African Americans faced intense discrimination and systemic barriers. Washington championed a philosophy of vocational training and economic self-reliance, believing that gradual improvement through education and hard work would earn respect and rights over time. In contrast, Du Bois argued for immediate civil rights, higher education, and political representation, emphasizing the importance of a "Talented Tenth" to lead the charge for equality.
Restate the question: How are the responses of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois to discrimination and their goals for improvement similar or different, and which leader's approach proved to be more effective?
Thesis/Road Map: Washington's approach focused on vocational education and economic advancement as a means to achieve racial uplift, while Du Bois’s strategy involved a more direct challenge to discrimination through advocacy for civil rights and higher education. While both leaders aimed to improve the status of African Americans, Du Bois’s approach was ultimately more effective in laying the groundwork for future civil rights activism, as it directly addressed the need for immediate equality and political engagement.