Exam 7: Web Du Bois

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First, historically, The Souls of Black Folk is important because it explicitly exposed an important intellectual and political schism in the black community between the more moderate Booker T. Washington; and the more radical Du Bois. Second, from a social science standpoint, The Souls of Black Folk is significant because Du Bois writes in a new "voice." Disgusted by the failure of sound empirical research to lead to desperately needed social change for the African American community and having done the empirical work himself, Du Bois became convinced that empirical data alone would never convince white Americans of the true workings of racial discrimination and prejudice.

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Du Bois's main points concerning his stance on Booker T. Washington revolve around his criticism of Washington's accommodationist approach to civil rights. Du Bois believed that Washington's emphasis on vocational education and economic self-improvement for African Americans was too passive and did not address the systemic racism and inequality that existed in the United States. Du Bois argued that African Americans should demand full political and social rights, rather than accepting segregation and disenfranchisement. He also criticized Washington for being too willing to compromise with white leaders, and for not advocating for higher education and intellectual development for African Americans. Overall, Du Bois's stance on Booker T. Washington was one of opposition to Washington's gradualist and conciliatory approach to civil rights.