The colored American., 1903-07-04
TWO TYPICAL LEADERS.
Digest of an Editorial in the Outlook,
New York, May 23rd, 1903.

types of character, different concep-
tiOns of the race problem, different
methods for it's solution, and deal with
| it in a widely different spirit. These
differences are strikingly illustrated
in two volumes Dubois ''Souls of
Black Folk and Washington's Flu
ture of the American Negro
To Dubois, the Negro is forever sep
arate from the American nation look
ing at himself through the spectacles
of the white man, regarding himself
as an object of pity, contempt, per-
haps amusement,-hi condition one
of humbled pride, and wounded
spirit. To DR.. Washington, the Ne
gro is a great race, which exhibited
self-control during the civil war,
was faithful to his trust, never a
traitor or conspirator, was true to his
country's flag, and since emancipa-
tion has given abundant evidence that
he can make himself an honorable,
useful citizen. To Dubois, the Negro
is a problem; to DR.. Washington,
America is the problem-the white
| race as much part of it as the black.
How to bring about a happy, content
ed, peaceful and proper relation be-
tween the peoples who must inhablt
this land is the question as he under
stands it. Dubois complains in an
guish; Washington intelligently and
| hopefully compares past with present,
| and rejoices in the fruits of forty
years of freedom, and the promise of
better things in the future. Dubois
| is ashamed that he is a Negro; Wash
ing is proud of his races great
achievements. To quote: |tThe sense
of amused contempt and pity for his
own race, caught from the white peo-
pie, is reflected in the title of Dubois
book, The Souls of Black Folk" the
spirit of race pride and hope for the
future is reflected in the title of DR..
WashingtOn's book, THE Future of
the American Negro"
Then follows a systematic compari-
son that must be read to be appreciat-
ed-shOwing a contrast between the
two leaders in their conceptions of all
the mOoted questions of the hour. OF
the view that the discomfort of the Ne
gro with ineradicable wrongs should
be uppermost, etc, Dubois is credited
with giving the ableSt expression that
the Outlook has ever seen. Of the view
that Industry is the basic virtue, and
the education which makes industry
intelligent is the foundation of civili-
zatiOn, the Outlook points to DR..
Washington as the pre-eminent repre-
sentative. The Outlook heartily ac-
ceptS the view of Dr. Washington
Looking to what the Negro should
do to solve the problemt The Outlook
says to the Negro under these heads,
ably worked out:
1. Have faith in yourselves.
2. DO not push yourselves forward;
do not allow would-be leaders to push
| you forward. Rather than ambition
for social equality, which no one can
| give you, through force, be ambitious
| to be men. and trust that in time the
| manhood will make for itself a place.
3. Seek education, first last, all the
| time. The first duty is to earn a liv-
| ing. Materialism is the basis OF life.
No education is complete which does
| not include manual training. That
| education is best that promotes indie
pendence. The assertion of Dubois that
| Dr.. Washington suggests a surrender
| of rights is not true-it requires all of
| ones charity to believe that Dubois
| thinks that Dr. Washington asks sur
! render of anything. To quote: ''Dr.
| Washington asks his fellows to get
political power by proving their ca
pacity to exercise it; civil rights by
obedience to law; and higher education
by building it on a foundation of a
broad industrial and ethical education.
| In this he is absolutely right
Do not think about yourself Do
not think about your woes or your
| l.