What themes stood out most to you in the assigned readings and lecture this week? What questions did the lectures and readings raise for you? Please post your responses in the comment section below.
The themes that stood out to me most this week were the differing approaches African American leaders took to gaining political rights. Both Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois proposed interesting ideas about racial integration and the necessary steps to achieve equality. Washington argued that gaining trade skills and economic prosperity necessarily precede getting classical education. Du Bois disagreed with Washington and argued that classical education was incredibly important for developing business and political leaders.
These readings raised the question of what approach was best, and if some combination of the two may be the most productive. Also, it raised questions of what systemic or other factors were limiting the achievement of these goals.
The theme that stood out to me was the opposing viewpoints of two prominent black leaders, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois. They had different ideas of how to help improve African American social and political life in America. Washington argued that blacks could elevate themselves through hard work. He advocated acceptance of circumstance for the time being while working on mastering trade skills. Washington believed that overtime, African Americans could pull themselves towards prosperity. Du Bois believed that Washington's plan would disenfranchise the black population. Instead, Du Bois argued that a liberal arts education for the high achieving African American population could lead them to success. It was interesting to me that both of these men were highly renowned, yet they had such differing opinions on the method to improve black lives.
Something that stood out to me during this week was Ida B. Wells' approaches toward solving problems. For example, her use of journalism to expose the issue of lynching and lead the efforts to end it was something a woman of this time period, especially an African American woman, was not expected to do. Or even be allowed to do. Also, her concept that educating women was the key to elevating African Americans in society was something I found remarkable. She put herself in the middle of sensitive situations/topics and handled them brilliantly. A question this gave me was how did being an African American woman hinder her in her political life.
One of the most interesting things regarding race and the issues of racial elevation and equal treatment is the split ideas that African Americans faced when trying to determine the correct strategy. Booker T. Washington vs. WEB Du Bois became a very large debate. How should the elevation be achieved? This debate is still a hot issue in US political thinking. Also, and more interesting to me, is Ida B. Wells. She, as an African American woman, has two issues to tackle, racism and gender equality. She tackles the issue of lynching in a very public way, through her paper. This is interesting. She doesn't offer advise, just is pointing out that this institutionalized racism is terrible and needs to be stopped. Washington and Du Bois, while mentioning the issues, focus much more on strategies. It's like Wells brought forth the issues, and Washington and Du Bois fought over how to handle them.
Forgot to add my question: in light of the recent racial tension in the current US political and social scene, how has this original argument between Washington and Du Bois change? How are the issues of lynching and institutionalized racism similar to what is happening today?
Also, why did White people feel the need to justify the lynchings of African Americans as response to rapes? If they felt they were superior, why did they justify? Not sure if these were good questions, but I felt that they were interesting. I also don't really know if there are answers to them, but still.
One theme that stood out to me this week was influential African American leaders and their different approaches to race relations during this time period. Booker T. Washington valued industrial education for blacks, while W.E.B DuBois thought that liberal arts education was best. Ida B. Wells was also an important black advocate, and she sought to expose the horrors of lynching in the South. All of these people sought to free blacks from discrimination, but all had very different methods and values. A question for me would be how did Ida Wells' gender affect her ability to influence public opinion and policy?
I found the differing strategies for Black advancement particularly interesting this week. Booker T. Washington wanted African-Americans to learn important mechanical skills while W.E.B. Du Bois valued classical education. Washington's strategy would help many African-Americans acquire middle-class jobs, becoming indispensable to the Southern economy. He also received financial support from Andrew Carnegie. Du Bois' strategy would help African-Americans earn higher paying, more prestigious jobs such as doctors and lawyers. Washington's strategy put money in the pockets of many African-Americans, but they did give them much chance to progress in society and economy. Du Bois' strategy would help the advancement of African-Americans, but it was very difficult for African-Americans to gain access to higher education and compete against whites in the job market. My question is why couldn't Washington and Du Bois work together to create a balanced strategy that would help African-Americans obtain whatever job they desired?
The biggest themes in the readings this week were race and gender related. I found it interesting that while some of the main activists ( Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. Wells) were all dealing with similar issues, they had very different approaches and obstacles to overcome. Ida B. Wells had the added "burden" to overcome (in terms of gaining equality) because she was a woman, yet she was also one of the most vocal in her efforts to reform. Booker T. Washington and his school of trade skills, while not supported wholeheartedly by all other reformers, did receive support from wealthy whites like Andrew Carnegie because the production of skilled workers benefited him. W.E.B. Du Bois, who also supported education, didn't receive that financial support because corporate titans didn't need black classically educated men. My question is how much is racism truly an unwavering opinion, and how much is it subjective to the situation? On one hand it is considered a prejudice without cause, but on the other, that prejudice can be overlooked or strengthened when it suits the white man's needs. Example: Carnegie supported an american american man and business when doing so benefitted his business. Lynchings were performed when whites felt economically threatened by blacks.
One theme which particularly stood out this week was the different attitudes towards the social and economic advancement of the African American population in terms of education. Booker T. Washington for example advocated industrial education, founding the Tuskegee institute in 1881. He argued that this would create a sense of being essential to the economy. However, DuBois believed that Washington’s ideas actually encouraged the disenfranchisement of the African American population rather than promoting social mobility, as these practical skills would not accommodate for long term promotion and development. Instead he proposed a liberal focus and backed the Niagara Movement, aiming to produce African American leaders, lawyers, professors, and physicians.
Which of these approaches had more of a significant positive impact?
One theme that stood out to me this week was the idea of womanism. Ida B. Wells considered herself a womanist as an educated woman raising her kids to be educated. She also stood out against issues that she believed in, even if it meant she was driven out of Memphis. This is fascinating to me. What are all the differences between feminism and womanism?
One theme that struck me was the varying views of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. Washington believed that blacks should develop industrial skills in order to become an irreplaceable factor in society and the economy. Du Bois, however, thought that that was reenforcing black inferiority and that they should strive to be leaders and be classically educated. Which of these approaches was more popular and how did it all play out?
I think it is interesting that W.E.B. Du Bois would publicly denounce Booker T. Washington. They had opposing views on how to deal with the situation, but in the end they both had the same goal, racially equality. I think that if Du Bois had joined forces with Washington, they could have amended some of their policies and had a much more powerful message. I wonder how they really felt about each other while they were still alive? I would guess that Washington disliked Du Bois after he published his book.
The theme that stood out for me the most this week was the beliefs of Ida B. Wells. Her disagreement with Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, two extremely prominent, male figures of this time, shows her bravery and dedication to the end of lynching. She was described not as a feminist but a womanist because she believed that the key to educating the future was the education of women, specifically mothers. How did men of her time react to her strong beliefs of the education of women? Were they fearful of being the "inferior gender"?
This week the conflict in ideology between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois struck with me. I found it interesting that both had very different ideas about how African Americans could win their rights in society. Washington believed that African Americans could win their rights by becoming indispensable parts of the economy that could therefore not be ignored. Because of this he founded Tuskegee Institute and promoted technical education. On the other hand Dubois promotes classical education. He believed that African Americans needed a traditional college education so they could learn how to become leaders and fight for their rights politically. Given what we learned about the industrialization of America at the time, it is no wonder why Washington's ideas were more widely accepted by white political and business leaders. His programs provided skilled workers to companies. It leaves one wondering, however, if this really was a way for African Americans to gain right in society when they being educated to become workers instead of leaders.
The themes that stood out to me most this week were the differing approaches African American leaders took to gaining political rights. Both Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois proposed interesting ideas about racial integration and the necessary steps to achieve equality. Washington argued that gaining trade skills and economic prosperity necessarily precede getting classical education. Du Bois disagreed with Washington and argued that classical education was incredibly important for developing business and political leaders.
ReplyDeleteThese readings raised the question of what approach was best, and if some combination of the two may be the most productive. Also, it raised questions of what systemic or other factors were limiting the achievement of these goals.
The theme that stood out to me was the opposing viewpoints of two prominent black leaders, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois. They had different ideas of how to help improve African American social and political life in America. Washington argued that blacks could elevate themselves through hard work. He advocated acceptance of circumstance for the time being while working on mastering trade skills. Washington believed that overtime, African Americans could pull themselves towards prosperity. Du Bois believed that Washington's plan would disenfranchise the black population. Instead, Du Bois argued that a liberal arts education for the high achieving African American population could lead them to success. It was interesting to me that both of these men were highly renowned, yet they had such differing opinions on the method to improve black lives.
ReplyDeleteSomething that stood out to me during this week was Ida B. Wells' approaches toward solving problems. For example, her use of journalism to expose the issue of lynching and lead the efforts to end it was something a woman of this time period, especially an African American woman, was not expected to do. Or even be allowed to do. Also, her concept that educating women was the key to elevating African Americans in society was something I found remarkable. She put herself in the middle of sensitive situations/topics and handled them brilliantly. A question this gave me was how did being an African American woman hinder her in her political life.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most interesting things regarding race and the issues of racial elevation and equal treatment is the split ideas that African Americans faced when trying to determine the correct strategy. Booker T. Washington vs. WEB Du Bois became a very large debate. How should the elevation be achieved? This debate is still a hot issue in US political thinking. Also, and more interesting to me, is Ida B. Wells. She, as an African American woman, has two issues to tackle, racism and gender equality. She tackles the issue of lynching in a very public way, through her paper. This is interesting. She doesn't offer advise, just is pointing out that this institutionalized racism is terrible and needs to be stopped. Washington and Du Bois, while mentioning the issues, focus much more on strategies. It's like Wells brought forth the issues, and Washington and Du Bois fought over how to handle them.
ReplyDeleteForgot to add my question: in light of the recent racial tension in the current US political and social scene, how has this original argument between Washington and Du Bois change? How are the issues of lynching and institutionalized racism similar to what is happening today?
DeleteAlso, why did White people feel the need to justify the lynchings of African Americans as response to rapes? If they felt they were superior, why did they justify?
Not sure if these were good questions, but I felt that they were interesting. I also don't really know if there are answers to them, but still.
One theme that stood out to me this week was influential African American leaders and their different approaches to race relations during this time period. Booker T. Washington valued industrial education for blacks, while W.E.B DuBois thought that liberal arts education was best. Ida B. Wells was also an important black advocate, and she sought to expose the horrors of lynching in the South. All of these people sought to free blacks from discrimination, but all had very different methods and values. A question for me would be how did Ida Wells' gender affect her ability to influence public opinion and policy?
ReplyDeleteI found the differing strategies for Black advancement particularly interesting this week. Booker T. Washington wanted African-Americans to learn important mechanical skills while W.E.B. Du Bois valued classical education. Washington's strategy would help many African-Americans acquire middle-class jobs, becoming indispensable to the Southern economy. He also received financial support from Andrew Carnegie. Du Bois' strategy would help African-Americans earn higher paying, more prestigious jobs such as doctors and lawyers. Washington's strategy put money in the pockets of many African-Americans, but they did give them much chance to progress in society and economy. Du Bois' strategy would help the advancement of African-Americans, but it was very difficult for African-Americans to gain access to higher education and compete against whites in the job market. My question is why couldn't Washington and Du Bois work together to create a balanced strategy that would help African-Americans obtain whatever job they desired?
ReplyDeleteThe biggest themes in the readings this week were race and gender related. I found it interesting that while some of the main activists ( Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. Wells) were all dealing with similar issues, they had very different approaches and obstacles to overcome. Ida B. Wells had the added "burden" to overcome (in terms of gaining equality) because she was a woman, yet she was also one of the most vocal in her efforts to reform. Booker T. Washington and his school of trade skills, while not supported wholeheartedly by all other reformers, did receive support from wealthy whites like Andrew Carnegie because the production of skilled workers benefited him. W.E.B. Du Bois, who also supported education, didn't receive that financial support because corporate titans didn't need black classically educated men. My question is how much is racism truly an unwavering opinion, and how much is it subjective to the situation? On one hand it is considered a prejudice without cause, but on the other, that prejudice can be overlooked or strengthened when it suits the white man's needs. Example: Carnegie supported an american american man and business when doing so benefitted his business. Lynchings were performed when whites felt economically threatened by blacks.
ReplyDeleteOne theme which particularly stood out this week was the different attitudes towards the social and economic advancement of the African American population in terms of education. Booker T. Washington for example advocated industrial education, founding the Tuskegee institute in 1881. He argued that this would create a sense of being essential to the economy. However, DuBois believed that Washington’s ideas actually encouraged the disenfranchisement of the African American population rather than promoting social mobility, as these practical skills would not accommodate for long term promotion and development. Instead he proposed a liberal focus and backed the Niagara Movement, aiming to produce African American leaders, lawyers, professors, and physicians.
ReplyDeleteWhich of these approaches had more of a significant positive impact?
One theme that stood out to me this week was the idea of womanism. Ida B. Wells considered herself a womanist as an educated woman raising her kids to be educated. She also stood out against issues that she believed in, even if it meant she was driven out of Memphis. This is fascinating to me. What are all the differences between feminism and womanism?
ReplyDeleteOne theme that struck me was the varying views of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. Washington believed that blacks should develop industrial skills in order to become an irreplaceable factor in society and the economy. Du Bois, however, thought that that was reenforcing black inferiority and that they should strive to be leaders and be classically educated. Which of these approaches was more popular and how did it all play out?
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting that W.E.B. Du Bois would publicly denounce Booker T. Washington. They had opposing views on how to deal with the situation, but in the end they both had the same goal, racially equality. I think that if Du Bois had joined forces with Washington, they could have amended some of their policies and had a much more powerful message. I wonder how they really felt about each other while they were still alive? I would guess that Washington disliked Du Bois after he published his book.
ReplyDeleteThe theme that stood out for me the most this week was the beliefs of Ida B. Wells. Her disagreement with Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, two extremely prominent, male figures of this time, shows her bravery and dedication to the end of lynching. She was described not as a feminist but a womanist because she believed that the key to educating the future was the education of women, specifically mothers. How did men of her time react to her strong beliefs of the education of women? Were they fearful of being the "inferior gender"?
ReplyDeleteThis week the conflict in ideology between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois struck with me. I found it interesting that both had very different ideas about how African Americans could win their rights in society. Washington believed that African Americans could win their rights by becoming indispensable parts of the economy that could therefore not be ignored. Because of this he founded Tuskegee Institute and promoted technical education. On the other hand Dubois promotes classical education. He believed that African Americans needed a traditional college education so they could learn how to become leaders and fight for their rights politically. Given what we learned about the industrialization of America at the time, it is no wonder why Washington's ideas were more widely accepted by white political and business leaders. His programs provided skilled workers to companies. It leaves one wondering, however, if this really was a way for African Americans to gain right in society when they being educated to become workers instead of leaders.
ReplyDelete