W.E.B. Du Bois was born in 1868 in Massachusetts. He was an educated black man and obtained his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1895 and was a professor at Atlanta University where he spent his life studying blacks in America. He originally believed that social science could help to solve the racism in America, but over the years he realized that the only way to bring about social change is through agitation and protest. His view was the opposite of another famous black leader Booker T. Washington. Washington believed that blacks should just accept discrimination for the time being and lift themselves up through hard work. Du Bois’ approach to racial equality was a good one, but not practical. He was more radical in his approach. He believed in “Top Down Education” motivate and educate the top 10% of the black population and let them lead the rest. He helped to organize the Niagara Movement which was a civil rights group and the precursor to the NAACP. The Niagara Movement attempted to bring about legal change, addressing the issues of crime, economics, religion, health, and education.
Contributed by Mary Knudson, Co-Leader
Sources:
Kate Tuttle, “Niagara Movement,” Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience (New York: Oxford University Press, 2005); Susan Altman, “Niagara Movement,” The Encyclopedia of African American Heritage (New York: Facts On File, Inc., 1997); Scott Kirkwood, “And Justice for All” National Parks (Washington: Summer 2006) http://proquest.umi.com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/
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