Equal rights Through education: Pioneers through the Ages

Nia Gavia

Mr. Thomas

U.S History, per. 9

2/23/15

             Many people strived for the African American equality through the avenue of education. Though there were many different methods, they all sought to accomplish the same goal. Here is a look at famous civil rights and education activist throughout history.
Then:

W.E.B Dubois (William Edward Burghardt Du Bois): This man was known as a major civil rights activist dedicated to the abolition of Jim Crow Laws. Dubois was born  in Great Barrington, Massachusetts and wanted immediate equality. He called out to the brightest of the African American race know as "The talented Tenth" to aid him in fighting for this equality and equal representation. He is the founder of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored people). Compared to his counterpart Booker T. Washington, Dubois saw the more hopeful side of things since he was born free. He did not dwell on the realists of slavery and instead wanted to focus on making society the way it should be with regards to equality for African Americans. He wanted the rights that all men deserved regardless of how unrealistic it seemed at the time.

Booker T. Washington: Washington was born into one of the last generations of slaves.  When he developed into the great orator and education advocate he is known for today, he created what is known as the Atlanta Compromise. This basically stipulated that if whites allowed blacks to work, they would be the best at whatever jobs they were allowed to do. He, like Dubois, advocated educating blacks and is the founder of the trade school the Tuskegee Institute. He is know to differ from Dubois in that rather than demanding immediate equality, he opted for gradually equality through economic success. Washington's outlook was different because he experienced the darkest side of racism. In his eyes the situation was so grave that it would not be won overnight. He wanted to try to gain as much ground as he thought was realistically possible.

Now:

Oprah Winfrey: She is currently North America's only black billionaire. She began in poverty in Mississippi and dealt with hardships all her life, she powered through to become the first black billionaire and a major philanthropist. Like Booker and Dubois, she values education, saying "

“Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.”

Barack Obama: Barack Obama represents one of the most impactful examples of what civil rights leaders worked for. This is not his only accomplishment. Obama works to ensure civil rights for all and has even established programs such as "My Brother's keeper," to ensure equality for black boys across the country. Barack Obama also believes in the power of education and equality, saying."“Michelle and I are here only because we were given a chance at an education. I will not settle for an America where some kids don’t have that chance.” 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/my-brothers-keeper

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/70547-education-is-the-key-to-unlocking-the-world-a-passporthttp://www.naacp.org/pages/naacp-history-w.e.b.-duboishttp://www.naacp.org/pages/naacp-history-w.e.b.-dubois