I know coloured men who, through the encouragement, help, and advice of Southern white people, have accumulated thousands of dollars’ worth of property, but who, at the same time, would never think of going to those same persons for advice concerning the casting of their ballots. This, it seems to me, is unwise and unreasonable, and should cease. In saying this I do not mean that the Negro should truckle, or not vote from principle, for the instant he ceases to vote from principle he loses the confidence and respect of the Southern white man even.
Read the excerpt from The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du Bois.
The question then comes: Is it possible, and probable, that nine millions of men can make effective progress in economic lines if they are deprived of political rights, made a servile caste, and allowed only the most meagre chance for developing their exceptional men? If history and reason give any distinct answer to these questions, it is an emphatic No. And Mr. Washington thus faces the triple paradox of his career:
1. He is striving nobly to make Negro artisans business men and property-owners; but it is utterly impossible, under modern competitive methods, for workingmen and property-owners to defend their rights and exist without the right of suffrage.
What claim do the two arguments have in common?
All citizens should rely on others’ advice when voting.
All citizens should value and exercise their right to vote.
Black citizens should try to keep the confidence of White citizens.
Black citizens are historically at an economic disadvantage.
1 answer
The claim that the two arguments have in common is:
All citizens should value and exercise their right to vote.
Both Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois emphasize the importance of voting rights for Black citizens, with Washington implying that voting is essential for maintaining respect and credibility, while Du Bois argues that political rights are necessary for economic progress and agency.
