Up From Slavery

The other pole of the era's great argument, and it should be read against Du Bois, not instead of him. Washington made the case for advancement through skill, patience, and economic foundation, a strategy that won him enormous influence and Du Bois's sharp dissent. Reading the two together is to watch a people argue with itself about how to claim its standing when the country is determined to deny it. There is no easy winner, and the stakes have not expired.

Born into slavery, founder of the Tuskegee Institute, and the most powerful Black leader of his era by the measure of influence among white power. Up From Slavery argues for advancement through education, skill, and patience, a strategy Du Bois challenged directly. Reading the two together is to watch a movement argue with itself about how a despised people should claim its standing, an argument with no easy winner and lasting stakes.