Final answer:
The debate on racial inequality between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois presents contrasting approaches. Washington advocated for self-help and vocational training, believing social equality would follow, while Du Bois pushed for immediate political and social equality through education and systemic change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The debate between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois on combatting racial inequality presents two distinct philosophical approaches. Washington, born into slavery, became a powerful African American leader who advocated for black empowerment through practical education and economic self-reliance. His stance, known for proposing accommodation with white society, is epitomized in his famous speech, 'The Atlanta Compromise.' He posited that vocational training and economic progress were the priorities, believing that political and social equality would naturally follow.
In contrast, Du Bois, a Northerner with a Harvard Ph.D., vehemently disagreed with Washington's approach. He pushed for immediate social and political equality and was a proponent of higher education for the 'Talented Tenth' of black Americans. His opposition to accommodation led to the founding of the Niagara Movement and his role in the NAACP, organizations that aimed for systemic changes through legal challenges and civil liberties advocacy.
Arguments can be made for both leaders' strategies. Washington's focus on self-improvement and economic stability provided a foundation from which African Americans could build their status within American society without direct confrontation. On the other hand, Du Bois's insistence on immediate equality tackled the root causes of racial injustice head-on, emphasizing the need for systemic change and refusing to compromise on segregation and civil rights.