Bila Lee
English 48B
January 16, 2009
Journal #4 W.E.B. Du Bois
Quote
“Among his own people, however, Mr. Washington has encountered the strongest and most lasting opposition, amounting at times to bitterness, and even today continuing strong and insistent even though largely silenced in outward expression by the public opinion of the nation” (Du Bois 903).
Summary
The quote was narrated by W.E.B. Du Bois to voice his opposite viewpoint against Booker T. Washington. After his inspiring speech at the Atlantic Exposition, Washington gained massive popularity for his role as “a compromiser between the South, the North, and the Negro” (Du Bois 905). He was the most popular colored person, perhaps also the most controversial American, in the early 1900s. However, Du Bois did not share the same idea with Washington in several areas like civil rights and education. As a result, Du Bois decided to voice his personal opinions in “The Soul of Black Folk.”
Responses
In his compilation titled, “The Souls of Black Folk,” W.E.B. Du Bois criticized the over-praising on Booker T. Washington. Du Bois pointed a finger at Washington for his surrender on racial respect, and stated clearly that his fame in the black community was a false impression since the colored fellows were brainwashed by the overwhelming media. In fact, the diametrical opposition between the two wise men was depicted by Dudley Randall’s poem titled, “Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois.” In the poem, Randall ironically repeated “’It seems to me,’ said Booker T.” and “’I don’t agree,’ said W.E.B.” (Randall). It was unbelievably true that Du Bois attempted to overthrow all the successes which Washington had achieved.
Du Bois blamed Washington as if Washington admitted the civil inferiority for the Negro as a compromise. For example, Du Bois believed the best way to upgrade colored people was through high education (I guess he referred to legal studies or any branch that is more academical), instead of industrial education. He might think industrial education did not help improving the social status of the Negro but improving their technical skills to work as slaves. In addition, Du Bois also believed all mankind should possess the rights to vote, and to celebrate an equal political power. He named aplenty authorities to support voting rights and political power are two universal wishes among the colored community, and indirectly demonstrated his disappointment against Booker Washington who did nothing to realize the dream of his race.
To me, the dispute between them was both remarkable and miserable. It was remarkable in the sense that both intelligent scholars had unquestioned contributions to the race movement. Washington was the one who represented the colored group to negotiate with the whites and gained a huge respect; likewise, Du Bois was the first one who broke the innate obstacle to obtain a doctoral degree at one of the finest universities in the world. The purpose of their debate was undoubtedly to improve the living conditions of the Negro. However, I
was deeply aspired when we concluded the situation as, “it sound like some Democratic politicians are attacking Barack Obama.” The mini civil war forced me to recall a famous Chinese History story in the history of Three Kingdoms: “the poem in seven steps.” The elder brother (let’s call him Cao Pei) was ambitious to be the Emperor while the little brother (let’s call him Cao Chik) was indulged in Literature with no political ambition. However, Pei still decided to kill Chik to protect himself and ready to kill Chik unless he composed a quality poem in seven steps. Chik composed the following famous poem, “We are sprouted from the same brotherly root, why are you so eagerly harming me?” (Apologize for my poor translation lol)
English 48B
January 16, 2009
Journal #4 W.E.B. Du Bois
Quote
“Among his own people, however, Mr. Washington has encountered the strongest and most lasting opposition, amounting at times to bitterness, and even today continuing strong and insistent even though largely silenced in outward expression by the public opinion of the nation” (Du Bois 903).
Summary
The quote was narrated by W.E.B. Du Bois to voice his opposite viewpoint against Booker T. Washington. After his inspiring speech at the Atlantic Exposition, Washington gained massive popularity for his role as “a compromiser between the South, the North, and the Negro” (Du Bois 905). He was the most popular colored person, perhaps also the most controversial American, in the early 1900s. However, Du Bois did not share the same idea with Washington in several areas like civil rights and education. As a result, Du Bois decided to voice his personal opinions in “The Soul of Black Folk.”Responses
In his compilation titled, “The Souls of Black Folk,” W.E.B. Du Bois criticized the over-praising on Booker T. Washington. Du Bois pointed a finger at Washington for his surrender on racial respect, and stated clearly that his fame in the black community was a false impression since the colored fellows were brainwashed by the overwhelming media. In fact, the diametrical opposition between the two wise men was depicted by Dudley Randall’s poem titled, “Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois.” In the poem, Randall ironically repeated “’It seems to me,’ said Booker T.” and “’I don’t agree,’ said W.E.B.” (Randall). It was unbelievably true that Du Bois attempted to overthrow all the successes which Washington had achieved.
Du Bois blamed Washington as if Washington admitted the civil inferiority for the Negro as a compromise. For example, Du Bois believed the best way to upgrade colored people was through high education (I guess he referred to legal studies or any branch that is more academical), instead of industrial education. He might think industrial education did not help improving the social status of the Negro but improving their technical skills to work as slaves. In addition, Du Bois also believed all mankind should possess the rights to vote, and to celebrate an equal political power. He named aplenty authorities to support voting rights and political power are two universal wishes among the colored community, and indirectly demonstrated his disappointment against Booker Washington who did nothing to realize the dream of his race.
To me, the dispute between them was both remarkable and miserable. It was remarkable in the sense that both intelligent scholars had unquestioned contributions to the race movement. Washington was the one who represented the colored group to negotiate with the whites and gained a huge respect; likewise, Du Bois was the first one who broke the innate obstacle to obtain a doctoral degree at one of the finest universities in the world. The purpose of their debate was undoubtedly to improve the living conditions of the Negro. However, I
was deeply aspired when we concluded the situation as, “it sound like some Democratic politicians are attacking Barack Obama.” The mini civil war forced me to recall a famous Chinese History story in the history of Three Kingdoms: “the poem in seven steps.” The elder brother (let’s call him Cao Pei) was ambitious to be the Emperor while the little brother (let’s call him Cao Chik) was indulged in Literature with no political ambition. However, Pei still decided to kill Chik to protect himself and ready to kill Chik unless he composed a quality poem in seven steps. Chik composed the following famous poem, “We are sprouted from the same brotherly root, why are you so eagerly harming me?” (Apologize for my poor translation lol)
20/20 Wow, that's a cool Chinese poem/story! And it fits Booker T and WEB quite well...
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