Final answer:
Walt Whitman saw freedom as an intrinsic right expressed through self-expression and democracy, while Booker T. Washington advocated for Black empowerment through education and entrepreneurship. They both valued the individual, but differed in their approaches to achieving freedom. Their historical contexts, the Civil War for Whitman and the Jim Crow era for Washington, shaped their views.
Step-by-step explanation:
Walt Whitman and Booker T. Washington, though from different periods and backgrounds, both had unique perspectives on freedom and individualism. Whitman, primarily through his poetry, emphasized an egalitarian approach to freedom, focusing on self-expression and the intrinsic value of every individual.
His views arose during the Civil War era, where he saw the need for democratic ideals and the importance of every person's contribution. In contrast, Washington, an influential African American leader born into enslavement, advocated for Black empowerment through education and entrepreneurship.
Washington believed in acquiring freedom and respect through self-help and economic progress, proposing that political activities alone could not secure true freedom.
Their common ground lies in the belief that every person holds value and has the potential for self-improvement. However, their perceptions diverged particularly on how to achieve freedom;
Whitman took a more transcendental and universal approach, while Washington focused on pragmatic solutions within the context of racially segregated America.
Circumstances such as the Civil War and the Jim Crow era greatly influenced their experiences and views, leading them to advocate for freedom in ways they deemed most effective for their times.