The Souls of Black Folk: Chapter 3
Introduction
This video explains Chapter 3 of Du Bois’ book ‘The souls of black folk,’ which begins by outlining that the ascendancy of Mr. Booker T. Washington is one of the most striking things that ever happened in the history of African-Americans since the 1876 revolt for civil rights.
The insights from the video seek to examine not only how Du Bois viewed Mr. Washington’s approach to the problems that African Americans faced in the US but also the criticism that he received from his fellow black leaders, writers, readers, and followers degrading thoughts on African Americans rights.
- Body. Paragraph-1
A history of the black people revolt explained revolt and revenge, attempt to adjust thought and action to the will of the greater group, and effort at self-realization, which are three attitudes that develop in individuals when faced by the opposition.
Black people revolted against white people’s oppression through groups like the maroons and Danish blacks and leaders like Gabriel, Vesey, and Nat Turner.
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The approaches taken by Mr. Booker, such as the Atlanta Compromise, sought for cooperation of African-Americans in exchange for economic development.
Mr. Booker’s program called for African Americans to accept inferiority and focus on wealth accumulation and industrial education.
- Conclusion
The video then presents Mr. Booker’s approach to African Americans’ problems as to whether the 9 million black men and women can prosper without political power, education, and civil rights.
Mr. Booker faced a lot of negative criticism from followers and descendants of Mr. Turner and Vesey, who hate white people blindly due to his degrading approach towards racial and economic equality in the United States.
The chapter explains that black people need to be respected as other people, and equality cannot be achieved by throwing away rights even if it’s the popular thing to do.