Analysis of the Booker Washington’s Message
Booker Washington was a renowned scholar who highlighted concepts that affected the global community considerably. Washington presented an ideology that encouraged African Americans to emphasize on educating themselves, obtaining essential trade skills and developing their enterprises. Particularly, the scholar argued that hard work, economic development and self-reliance would enable the African Americans prove their relevance in the global fraternity (Washington 136). This analysis was right because the practice offered African Americans an opportunity of establishing their position in the society. Hard work would result to successful individuals and emphasize on economic development promoted the establishment of able economies (Bois 169). This was a strategic approach of improving African Americans bargaining power. This is because with able economies, African Americans would search for minimal assistance from Whites. Furthermore, Washington’s analysis encouraged African Americans to prioritize strategies that would improve their productively. For example, the scholar encouraged the blacks to develop their industries and work hard to attain knowledge that could improve their trading skills (Washington 136). This would ensure that Blacks supplied Whites with the raw materials for powering their industries. Moreover, with the knowledge of trade the African Americans would tactically evade exploitive trade deals. In this respect, the Whites would identify the Blacks as important strategic partners for developing their economies.
Washington’s message is very relevant in the contemporary society. The significance of his message is evident in its effort of encouraging self-reliance and unity among the members of the same background (Bois 161). Unity is essential in increasing the group’s authority. Washington highlights that singleness of vision that develops from unity defines the success of a person. He believed that nature finds a way of isolating or narrowing men to empower them (Washington 141). In essence, the scholar encouraged the African Americans to unite and face the Whites as a group. This concept is still relevant in the modern world because working as a block would increase the group’s success. For example, when united together, the group can successfully impose sanctions even on the superior race.
Changes on the American society have made Washington’s message irrelevance because of adoption of new perspective that differs from the ideologies that informed the society’s organization during the scholar’s time. Washington’s message focused on racial-based social organization (Bois 168). The message targeted the African Americans encouraging them to unite along ethnic line in order to face the majority race accordingly. Changes in the American society have led to adoption of an inclusive culture that evaluates the individual’s ability instead of concentrating on one’s background. Currently, the American society celebrates its diversity and an individual essentially earn respect from his or her own performance. It therefore, becomes apparent that Washington’s message is irrelevant in the current world that is characterized with globalization and high degrees of economic integration.
Works Cited
Bois, Du, W.E.B “The Talented Tenth,” in the Negro Problem. New York: James Patt (1903), Print.
Washington, Booker, “Blacks Should not Agitate for Political Equality,” in the speech at the Atlanta Exposition (September 18, 1895), Print.
