African American Civil Rights (11/4 Lecture)

  • Booker T. Washington - (ex-slave) - fought for black civil rights, but was considered an "accomidationist" because he realized that "we can't demand for too much too fast." His goal was economic independence for blacks in the South (and wanted whites to have some respect for the fact that they practically built the South). Founded Tuskegee Institute (2-year technical school for blacks).
  • W. E. B. DuBois (younger and more extreme). Northerner (never lived in the South or was a slave). First African American to graduate from Harvard "the honor was all theirs" (DuBois). Demanded immediate political, economic, social equality now!! Thought Booker T. Washington was being a pussy. Called on the talented black males in America to do what they could to get equality (try to get into good colleges and stuff). Founded NAACP (Niagara Falls meetings)
  • Plessy vs. Ferguson - Plessy was this guy, 7/8 white, and 1/8 black. But he still had to sit in the railroad cars where the blacks sat, so he sued. He lost. Supreme Court ruled blacks and whites could be separated in railroad cars as long as their accommodations were equal. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH SEGREGATION!!!! NOOOOooooooooooooooooooooo!

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