Is Du Bois justified in his criticism of Washington? Why or why not? Was the “problem of the color-line” the main problem of the twentieth century in the United States, as Du Bois predicted in 1903? What about the 21st century?

Writing Response to Readings on Washington and DuBois:

• Washington, pages 572-579, “The Atlanta Exposition Address”

• W.E.B. Du Bois, pages, 694-702, Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others

Directions: Carefully re-read the above pages. Take notes while reading; be sure to read the footnotes in the text. After you have a firm understanding of the events of the story, write a one-page response (approximately 250 words minimum) to the three prompts below:

Prompt 1: If you were an African American living in the early twentieth century or advocate for Americans living in the early twentieth, based on the ideas you read in the above pages, whom do you think you would follow or endorse: Washington or Du Bois? Why?

Prompt 2: Is Du Bois justified in his criticism of Washington? Why or why not? Was the “problem of the color-line” the main problem of the twentieth century in the United States, as Du Bois predicted in 1903? What about the 21st century?

Prompt 3: Given today’s social and economic climate, which man’s ideas might have more appeal for individuals seeking to advance in this society and why?