Samantha VanMeerbeck DB 2
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Austin Community College District *
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Philosophy
Date
Apr 3, 2024
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docx
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1.
How were Du Bois and Washington able to reach different conclusions and goals? In other words, what factors might be shaping their different perspectives?
Du Bois believed heavily that change was to come from education and the power
of knowledge “The function of the Negro college… must develop man”. The last paragraph in his excerpt, as a whole, explains his justification very clearly. He is aware that no matter how much economic, or industrial gain that one may have acquired or contributed, that it can easily be stripped back by the white folk and the
use of legal loopholes. With that being said, he firmly believes that if one knows how
to fight back intellectually, he stands a stronger chance at battle. Washington on the other hand, is quite the opposite. He believes that there should be mutual ground and understandings between African Americans and Whites, and that sacrifices will be made in order to do so. “Washingtons Atlanta Compromise …agriculture and business” ( McGerr, 605-606). As much as the whites
approved of this, African Americans did not. They were to sacrifice their right to vote, and social equality as well as their word that they would stop fighting for such,
in return for agriculture and business success. Many including Du Bois, ultimately saw this method as a lose-lose scenario for African Americans. 2.
How does Du Bois describe the American Identity?
Du Bois Describes the American Identity by being two-in-one. “.
It is a peculiar sensation, this double consciousness…” (Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk
). He goes on to explain that the feeling of being both a Negro, and an American were not achievable. There were always double souls, thoughts, and two warring ideals in one dark body. Furthermore, he even claims that the feeling is that similar to looking at oneself through the eyes of others. Du Bois wants to be able to be two as one, not necessarily two in one, and to be accepted simply as he is. “There must come a loftier respect for the sovereign human soul…” (Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk)
3.
Which philosophy do you believe is the best for achieving racial equality? Justify your answer.
In my opinion, I would tend to agree with Du Bois a bit more. The famous saying that history repeats itself, and the only way to change it is to know how is
quite accurate. Often times knowledge is power, and if one is to truly make a change, then they have to know how things were done before, and why they need to be done differently. Ultimately Du Bois is right: “It must develop man”. One only develops through experience and knowledge. You can have as many materialistic items as money can buy, but if you are not able to protect yourself,
your rights, and continually change for the better than what you have is invaluable. It can be taken overnight, and then what does one have to show for higher individualism or development.
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