Booker T Washington And W. E. B. Dubois Persuasive Essay

Passive vs. Aggressive Fight for Rights There was no right to vote, no right to education, no freedom of speech or religion, no fair treatment by the law which means there was no equality. Even though these are rights and principles of the American Constitution, these did not apply to all races during the 19th and 20th centuries, especially African Americans. Even though these are rights that should apply to all people African Americans didn’t not apply to these laws, especially in the Southern United States. Black Americans were not seen as equal to white Americans under the law, or in the eyes of the American people, and African Americans were constantly subject to racism and discrimination. Because of this, two men, Booker T.†¦show more content†¦He decided that African Americans should temporarily accept discrimination and racial inferiority from white Americans. He believed that over time, African Americans would earn their equality and fair treatment as they ros e economically and became more educated. His focus was in teaching industrial education or education about entering the workforce to African Americans, so they could learn and also economically prosper. In his Atlanta Compromise speech, Booker T. Washington showed what he believed about education and work by saying, â€Å"No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.† (Washington). This quote shows that he believes education is just as important as work, and he believed both are needed to be successful. This connects with his own life where he was constantly working but also getting educated. Also in his Atlanta Compromise speech, Booker T. Washington publically declared that he would accept segregation and inferiority of the black race in exchange that white Americans would allow education opportunity, economic growth and fair court justice for African Americans (â€Å"Booker T. Washington† PBS). He thought t hat if African Americans had these rights, they would eventually be able to prove themselves worthy of equality. Finally, Booker T. Washington opposed directly fighting back for rights and equality because he thought it would only lead to more violence against