The Negro And Signs Of Civilization - 1188 Words

The political action and social reform during the late 19th and early 20th century ultimately lead to the Civil Rights movement and the end of racial segregation. The Civil Rights movement dealt with problems of inequality and disenfranchisement of African Americans that began in the post-civil war era. W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington are considered by historians, two of the prominent leaders of the black community in the late 19th and early 20th century who sought inclusion and equality through social and economic progress. While their end goals were the same, the means in which they utilized their platforms and their philosophy on how best to accomplish this varied. Among other accomplishments, DuBois’ efforts in the civil rights†¦show more content†¦He claims possessing material things that symbolize wealth, accomplishment, education and success leave little to argue with about whether or not someone was equal enough of a person to deserve these things (Wash ington, The Negro and the Signs of Civilization). He also argues that African Americans will need to work hard to acquire these symbols. His persuasion is further enhanced by playing to both sides of the civil rights movement. Washington pleads with white men as well as black men to raise up the former slaves to raise up society as a whole. He claims that with a third to half of the population of a state suppressed that greatness cannot be achieved (Washington,The Negro and the Signs of Civilization). He makes it clear that white men need to help make greatness achievable for the black man or find themselves fighting an uphill battle. In Booker T. Washington’s Atlanta Compromise Speech from 1985, similar appeals are made of African Americans and white men. Being one of the first recorded radio speeches by an African American citizen, this event reached many ears including policy makers and others in higher levels of government (Washington, Atlanta Compromise Speech). What is most interesting about Booker T. Washington’s arguments was that he was clear on what should be the priority of African Americans and it was not necessarily representation in government. He wasShow MoreRelatedThe Corner Stone Address By Alexander Stephens814 Words   |  4 Pagesdirect cause of the Confederacy’s secession. He states, â€Å"The new constitution has put at rest, forever, all the agitating questions relating to our peculiar institution African slavery as it exists amongst us the proper status of the Negro in our form of civilization. This was the immediate cause of the late rupture and present revolution (Stephens)†. Slavery defined the South and it caused many problems between the slave states and the free states. 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