Booker T. Washington wrote his biography called Up From Slavery. He was the successor of Fredrick Douglas. Both of which grew up as slaves. Washington had a conservative view toward how blacks should arise from segregation. He made a speech at the Atlanta Exposition, and this is where he stated his three key ideas to help the blacks and keep the white happy. He wrote of this speech in chapter fourteen of Up From Slavery. His plan was later criticized by more liberal black activists; his biggest rival being W.E.B. DuBois. The three things Washington stated were 1. Economic options for blacks but continued social separation to keep the whites happy. 2. Blacks should not receive higher education. They should receive education based on a trade instead. 3. That black folk should start conforming to how the white society lives. This was Washington's plan of how life for African Americans would improve. He felt if they follow these three steps life in America would be !

better for blacks. Washington thought that this is the only way for blacks to be accepted more by the whites. DuBois highly

He thought that conformity might be the solution or at least better living conditions for blacks in the south.

that blacks needed to make the white people comfortable. Too much of a change too quickly might threaten the whites. After all, whites did hold all of the power, in every aspect of our nation. He felt that by trying to force equality, in all ways, might threaten and anger the whites, and this would cause more bad than good for blacks. "The opportunity to earn a dollar in a factory just now is worth more infinitely more than the opportunity to spend a dollar in an opera-house." To start at the bottom and maybe work their way up is the general idea that Washington expressed in this aspect of his plan.

Washington said that blacks should get economic options but social separation should continue to keep the whites happy. He basically said that equality should not be forced. They should earn their equality and rights. "The wisest among my race understand that the agitation of questions of social equality is the extremist folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all the privileges that will come to us must be the result of severe and constant struggle rather than artificial forcing." This was part of Washington's speech. He is saying that blacks should be able to make an honest living, but that if segregation keeps whites happy then it should stand. Social separation might be the necessary element to keep the "herd" happy. He felt that blacks would have to give up certain things to live with in the white society. He did not feel this to be a significant set back for the black society. He thought it was fair to give up social standing for economic options. He felt !

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The third and final key point that Washington makes is that in order to make life for the blacks better, they need to conform to the white man's ways. He says that in order for the blacks to fit in

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