Two Men, Two Ideas, One Cause 

Booker T. Washington and E.B. DuBois were two different men with different approaches to one cause. Both men believed colored rights were needed, especially in education. They however had different beliefs on when equality was needed and what type of education was appropriate. Washington and DuBois both hugely aided in African American race advancement.

Washington and DuBois both equally had a passion for education. Each man believed african americans had the right to an education. They believed that education should not be hinder due to a skin color. However, Washington and DuBois had different ideas on what education the african americans were allowed to have. Washington believed in allowing all african americans to go to a vocational school. His belief was that they should be taught how to live in the White peoples world. He said african americans should do this by learning a job and becoming extremely skilled in it. Washington created the Tuskegee institute which was a vocational school  in. DuBois however believed in a different education. His thoughts on education were that African Americans had the right to a higher classical education. DuBois was the first African American to graduate Harvard with a Ph.D.. He believed that all African Americans should have the same opportunities as he did in schooling. Both men had similarities and differences on the thoughts of education. However, education is not the only thing both men felt strongly about.

DuBois graduating from Harvard 

Washington working with a student in an outside classroom

The main focus of Washington and DuBois was equality between African Americans and the white people. Washington was born a slave and had a rough upbringing so he understood the struggle of equality. DuBois grew up free and privileged, which allowed him to have a different view of segregation. Both men however grew up with the Jim Crow laws set in place which separated transportation, schools, libraries, drinking fountains, morgues, funeral parlors, etc. Washington's approach on equality was to gradually lean into equality. He believed men should work for their equality. He mentioned some of this in his speech at the international exposition of cotton, "Atlanta Compromise". He said that African Americans should work to gain economic security before equal rights. DuBois completely disagreed with Washington's thought and stated it in his speech, "Niagara Movement". He believed that African Americans should not have to earn their equality but it should be given to them Immediately . His beliefs lead to him co-founding the National Association for Advancement of Colored. The NAACP was a group which looked for problems and reformed the legal system for colored rights. DuBois whole movement was to grant equal rights now, while Washington's was to gradually increase.

Both men had very strong opinion on education and equal rights for African Americans. They each had a different way of approaching their ideas. Some may say one was more successful than the other but this is not true. Washington and DuBois will be remembered forever for the advancements they had in African American education and equality.