Booker T. Washington Advocates: Progressive Or Regressive?

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Pages: 3

Progressive or Regressive?
The progressive movement was all about change. Progressives fought for reform in woman suffrage, antitrust legislate, prohibition of alcohol, child labor, national income tax, and conservation of natural resources. Progressives wanted to promote the public good, but the good of the public is different for men, woman, African Americans, immigrants, and so on. A result of this is some groups got left out. I am analyzing “Black Educator Booker T. Washington Advocates Compromise and Self-Reliance, 1901” and “Cartoon: The Women’s Vote vs. Boss Rule, 1915”.
“Cartoon: The Women’s Vote vs. Boss Rule, 1915” is a cartoon drawn by Jack Sears. It depicts what the women voter wants in politics verses what the Boss Rule politicians are offering based off of corn on a cob
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Washington Advocates Compromise and Self-Reliance, 1901” is written by Booker T. Washington and shares his view points on rights given to African Americans. Washington writes “I Believe it is the duty of the Negro-as the greater part of the race is already doing-to deport himself modestly in regards to political claims, depending upon the slow but sure influences that proceed from the possession of property, intelligence, and high character for the full recognition of his political rights” (page 139). Washington is excluding non-property owning un-educated blacks from voting. He believes that blacks must work for rights he says “it is at the bottom of life we must begin, and not at the top” (page 139). This is the time period of Plessy vs. Ferguson saturation is starting, Washington’s views are going to fuel this fire. White people are going to see that an African American man doesn’t even thing that all blacks deserve the right to vote, this will lead to Jim Crow laws that make it harder for blacks to vote. I believe that Washington can have an opinion it just comes at a time when people are going to use his words to inspire hatred and take away