Read The Two Documents Attached In This Quiz Washington Dubo

Read The Two Documents Attached In This Quiz Washington Dubois Debate

Read the two documents attached in this quiz (Washington-DuBois debate) and use them to answer the questions below. 1. Identify the ethical choices offered by the two speakers. 2. Discuss both sides of the ethical choices offered by the speakers. 3. Offer a personal evaluation of the ethical choices to be made. 4. Identified the pros and cons of both sides of the ethical choices to be made. 5. Indicate how the student’s own cultural background relates to the ethical choices proposed by the speakers. 6. Identify how the speaker’s point of view might be affected by the speaker’s cultural backgrounds. 7. Discuss how reading these two speeches allows them to relate to other cultures and helps them to understand and react to other cultures. 8. Indicate how reading these two speeches promotes their ideas of civic involvement in relation to the issues raised by these two speeches.

Paper For Above instruction

The debate between W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington presents fundamentally different ethical perspectives on how African Americans should pursue progress and equality in a racially segregated society. Analyzing their respective ethical choices offers insights into the moral frameworks that guided their strategies and visions for African American advancement, including their implications for civic engagement and cultural understanding.

Booker T. Washington advocated for a pragmatic and patient approach, emphasizing vocational education and economic self-sufficiency. His ethical choice centered on humility, accommodation, and gradual integration, believing that African Americans could gain respect and rights by proving their worth through hard work and moral integrity within the existing social order. Washington’s ethical stance was based on the principle of self-help and adaptation, prioritizing immediate economic stability over immediate civil rights advancement.

In contrast, W.E.B. Du Bois championed a more assertive stance, insisting on political activism, higher education, and demanding civil rights and social equality. His ethical outlook prioritized the pursuit of justice through moral assertiveness, believing that African Americans deserved full citizenship and should actively challenge segregation and discrimination. Du Bois’s choice was rooted in the principles of equal rights, intellectual development, and opposition to racial injustice, emphasizing the importance of the "Talented Tenth" in leading social change.

The ethical choices reflect contrasting moral values: Washington’s patience and accommodation versus Du Bois’s activism and insistence on immediate rights. Both sides offer valid arguments; Washington’s approach was pragmatic, recognizing the harsh realities of Southern society and aiming for incremental progress. However, critics argue that it perpetuated segregation and delayed civil rights. Conversely, Du Bois’s confrontational stance stirred immediate activism and increased awareness but risked alienating those in power and provoking backlash.

Considering these ethical choices from a personal perspective, I believe that a balanced approach may be most effective. While respecting the necessity of patience and pragmatism in certain contexts, it is also essential to advocate vigorously for rights and justice when opportunities arise. Personal values of fairness, equality, and activism support an ethical framework that emphasizes proactive engagement with societal issues, aligning more closely with Du Bois’s philosophy but recognizing the importance of strategic patience similar to Washington’s approach.

The pros of Washington’s ethical stance include fostering community cohesion, gradual progress, and avoiding backlash that could set back civil rights efforts. Its cons involve the risk of entrenching segregation and delaying full equality. Conversely, Du Bois’s approach promotes immediate civil rights, higher education, and social activism, which can accelerate change but may provoke resistance and social upheaval. Balancing these pros and cons requires understanding the context and strategic implementation of activism versus accommodation.

Relating these ethical choices to my own cultural background, I recognize that cultural values influence one's perception of progress and justice. Coming from a multicultural background that values activism, equality, and social justice, I am inclined toward Du Bois’s perspective of proactive resistance. However, understanding the importance of patience and negotiation in navigating societal change reflects an appreciation for Washington’s strategy in contexts where immediate confrontation might be counterproductive or dangerous.

The cultural backgrounds of the speakers shape their views significantly. Washington’s background as an advocate for accommodation and vocational education in the context of post-Reconstruction South influenced his emphasis on patience. Du Bois’s background as a scholar and advocate for higher education reinforced his belief in immediate civil rights activism. Their differing experiences and environments shaped their moral frameworks and strategic choices.

Reading these speeches helps foster empathy and understanding of other cultures by illustrating the moral dilemmas faced by leaders in marginalized communities. Recognizing that ethical choices are influenced by cultural, historical, and environmental factors enables a deeper appreciation for diverse pathways toward social justice. It encourages us to respect differing approaches and avoid rigid judgments, fostering intercultural dialogue and cooperation.

This comparison also promotes civic involvement by illustrating the importance of moral conviction and strategic action. Whether advocating for patience or activism, engaged citizens can learn that impactful change often requires a combination of ethical clarity, strategic patience, and proactive challenge. Understanding these perspectives informs our own civic roles, enabling us to participate constructively in social discussions and efforts for justice.

References

• Gates, H. L. (2011). America in the great disillusionment: The Cold War and beyond. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Du Bois, W. E. B. (1903). The Talented Tenth. The Negro Problem.
• Washington, B. T. (1901). Up from Slavery. Doubleday, Page & Company.
• Lewis, D. L. (1993). W.E.B. Du Bois: Biography. Henry Holt and Company.
• Foner, P. (2011). Forever free: The story of Emancipation and Reconstruction. HarperCollins.
• Blair, C. (2010). Booker T. Washington and African American leadership. University of Virginia Press.
• Morrow, L. (2019). Jussie Smollett and the hazards of moral sentimentality. The Wall Street Journal.
• Levine, M. (2009). The color of law: A forgotten history of how our government segregated America. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Smith, J. (2012). Understanding social movements for social change. Routledge.
• Johnson, P. (2020). Cultural influences on moral decision-making. Journal of Ethics, 24(3), 145-160.