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Abstract
Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois were two significantly important individuals by
way of educational and African American advancement. The two men had differing views on the
role of education in the lives of African Americans. This paper examines their educational
philosophies and their impact on African Americans and education. Drawing on a review of the
literature, this paper explores the key tenets of their philosophies, including their views on
vocational vs. liberal arts education, the role of race in education, and the importance of self-help
and social mobility. The paper also discusses the impact of their philosophies on African
American education, including the development of historically black colleges and universities,
the implementation of vocational education programs, and the push for civil rights and equality
in education. The findings suggest that while both Washington and Du Bois contributed
significantly to the advancement of African American education, their differing philosophies
reflected broader debates within the African American community about the best path to social
and economic advancement. Moreover, the study identifies the ongoing relevance of their ideas
to contemporary discussions of race, education, and social justice. Finally, the paper concludes
with a discussion of the implications of these findings for current and future efforts to improve
educational opportunities for African Americans.
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Booker T. Washington &W. E. B Dubois: Influence on Black American Education
Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois were two of the most influential Black
American leaders of the latter 19th and former 20th centuries. Each of the aforementioned men
played an instrumental role in forming the foundation of African American education and
advocating tremendously for the rights and empowerment of black individuals in America.
However, their approaches to achieving their goal of empowering African American people
varied greatly. Booker T. Washington believed in a practical, bootstrap-like approach. He felt
that vocational education that placed emphasis on teaching African Americans the skills and
trades necessary to be successful in the workforce. Washington founded the Tuskegee Institute,
which focused on training black Americans in agriculture, trades, and crafts.
In contrast, W. E. B. Du Bois pushed for more academic centered education that
emphasized critical thinking, intellectualism, and social equality. Du Bois co-founded the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and promoted the
talented tenth, which included the top 10% of black Americans who were capable of leadership
and innovation, and would essentially pull the rest of the black Americans immersed American
society up with them. This essay will compare, contrast, and analyze the impact of Booker T.
Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois on African American education, explore their philosophies,
educational approaches, contributions to the advancement of black Americans, and the legacy
they’ve left behind.
Background and Cultural Context
Washington’s greatest influence was the Hampton Institute, a vocational school in
Virginia where he received his own education. The principles of industrial education and self-
help that he learned at Hampton became the foundation of his educational philosophy. Another
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important influence was Samuel Armstrong, the founder of Hampton, who emphasized the
importance of character development and practical skills in education.
Washington’s greatest success was the establishment of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in
1881. Tuskegee was a vocational school that emphasized industrial training and practical skills
for African Americans. Under Washington’s leadership, the school grew into a major institution
that trained thousands of African American students in a variety of trades and professions.
Tuskegee also became a model for other African American schools and helped to establish the
importance of vocational training in African American education. Washington’s philosophy and
leadership at Tuskegee helped to empower generations of African Americans and paved the way
for future leaders in the civil rights movement.
Du Bois's greatest influence was his own education, which he received at Fisk University,
Harvard University, and the University of Berlin. He was exposed to a wide range of intellectual
and philosophical ideas during his studies, which helped shape his own educational philosophy.
He was particularly influenced by the ideas of German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich
Hegel, who emphasized the importance of historical and cultural context in understanding human
societies. One of Du Bois' greatest achievements in relation to the advancement of African
American society, was his role in founding the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (NAACP) in 1909. The NAACP became one of the most important civil rights
organizations in the United States, and Du Bois played a key role in its leadership and advocacy
efforts. He also helped to establish the Niagara Movement, a group of intellectuals and activists
who advocated for full political and social equality for African Americans. Through his
scholarship, writing, and activism, Du Bois helped to advance the cause of civil rights and social
justice for African Americans in the United States.
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Philosophy of Education
Booker T. Washington’s educational philosophy emphasized vocational training and
practical skills for African Americans, which he believed was the key to their economic and
social advancement. Washington believed that African Americans should focus on building their
own economic and social institutions, rather than relying on political or legal means to achieve
equality. He also emphasized the importance of personal responsibility and self-discipline in
achieving success.
W. E. B. Du Bois’ educational philosophy emphasized the importance of intellectual
development and higher education for African Americans. Du Bois believed that education was
the key to achieving racial equality and justice, and he advocated for African Americans to have
access to the same educational opportunities as white Americans. He believed that education
should not only focus on practical skills, but also on developing critical thinking and a sense of
social responsibility.
Theory to Practice
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includes a clear topic sentence and that there is a logical flow of progression from one paragraph
to another.
Perspectives on Diversity
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See assignment directions regarding what to enter here. Ensure that each paragraph
includes a clear topic sentence and that there is a logical flow of progression from one paragraph
to another.
Critical Analysis
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includes a clear topic sentence and that there is a logical flow of progression from one paragraph
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Implications and Conclusions
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References
Notice how the examples below have a hanging indention. Everything in APA is to be double
spaced, including the abstract, lengthy quotations, and the reference list. Nothing is single
spaced.
Authorlastname, A. B. (2019). Book title in italics with only the first word and proper nouns and
proper adjectives, like Christian, capitalized: If there is a subtitle, the first word is
capitalized. Publisher.
Authorlastname, A. B. (2019). Article title in regular font with only the first word and proper
nouns and proper adjectives, like European, capitalized: Subtitles may or may not be
used. Journal Titles and Volume Numbers Are Italicized, 15(2), 41-50.
https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000126
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