Approaching Liberation: Booker T. or W.E.B.?

Writer: Kimani Leftridge

What strategy should Black people use in order to ensure their liberation? A question that may be as old as the diaspora itself. Black intellectuals have spent centuries postulating and debating this topic and to this day, the question remains unanswered.

Two of the most popular proposals were born in the Reconstruction Era and have been theorized by two intellectuals by the name of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois, the two theories are often grouped together due to their perceived direct opposition.

Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), a Black educator, orator, and author essentially believed that Black people, specifically those displaced in the united states, would be far better off honing in on the skills acquired in slavery and creating a coalescence, a peaceful unification, with the white working class. He encouraged Black folks to accept their current condition and focus more on advancement through hard work and material gain. He thought that by furthering education in crafts, farming and industrial skills, and practicing patience would earn the respect of white people and would result in economic and social prosperity for African Americans.

On the other hand, W.E.B. DuBois (1868-1963), a scholar, educator, and political thinker thought otherwise. DuBois suggested that Washington’s strategy would only further perpetuate white oppression. Instead, he proposed that it was through civil disobedience, political action, and college education (see “the Talented Tenth”) that true social change could be achieved. He strays away from the idea of collaborating with white folk.

Neither argument is a perfect one, many of Washington’s critics believe that his proposal was far too centered around whiteness. His theory does not hold white people accountable for their contribution to the oppression of Black Americans and completely absolves them of any responsibility. Meanwhile, many believe that DuBois’ approach was severely elitist and almost suggests that Black people can only thrive in academia, which could not be farther from the truth. And the idea of the “cream of the crop” so to speak, guiding all Black people to liberation has done more than enough to push people away. Personally, I believe that DuBois’ strategy is the closest to a sound proposal, he managed to drastically change many of his stances and even started to self identify as a socialist later in his life which may the driving force for my decision. But, I do truly believe that protest and a civil rights agenda will lead to social change and centering whiteness in a movement that is supposed to be for Black liberation does not make too much sense to me. However, there were quite a few points made by Washington that do make sense, Black people can be successful without a college education. Academia is an inherently racist institution so to think of it as the only place where Black excellence can exist is almost absurd.

All in all, both Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois’ hypotheses have continued to drive the everlasting conversation postulating Black liberation.