African American History

During the end of the civil war and the beginning of World War I institutions received large donations to the advancement of black education. This practice is known as philanthropy. The desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donations of money to good causes. John F Slatter for example, a philanthropist at the time donated 1 Million dollars for uplifting the lately emancipated population of the southern states in the name of Christian education. With the help of Booker T. Washington, several large educational foundations advanced black education in the south because of white contribution. With the south being destroyed by the civil war, and the slaves being emancipated, the southern economy which was dependent on slavery production was in disorder. Booker T. Washington viewed this as opportunity to rebuild the black community through white philanthropy. What Washington would do was entice philanthropist into believing that with their donation in black institutions, it would benefit the south in the long run. Washington argued that if you were to invest your money in black schools and teaching the slaves how to become articulate then the economy would return to its former glory, and if not better. This was supported when the literacy among African Americans had risen dramatically from a mere 5 percent in 1865 to about 50 percent in 1900 and to 70 percent in 1910. African Americans came together as members of communities to organize their own financial resources to support their agenda for black progression. And soon the south's economy was to flourish. Some educators may argue that this was an effective way to not only help the depriving south, but help the African Americans. And some educators like [W.E.B] Du Bois would strongly disagree. As described in “The Souls of Black Folk” (1903). Du Bois does not agree with the idea of using white philanthropy as a way to build up the African American community. Du Bois was a firm believer of the negro spirituality and self-empowerment. Du Bois believed that through radical change, and faith the black community will prevail over white supremacy. This sparked the debate on which racial philosophies was better. Due to the historical condition and attitudes at the time I would say that Du Bois Philosophy on self-empowerment was best suited at the time because it sparked what you know as modern black life.

In “Democracy in America” (1835), Du Bois makes the point that the Negro church is a civic institution in In African American Life. After the 1760 and up to the 1830s there was a widespread conversion of slaves to Christianity. Missionaries told slave owners that Christian slaves made better slaves. Citing Ephesians 6:5 where St. Paul says “ Slaves be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ”(KJV). Religion served as a way of explaining what couldn’t be. During the Great Awakening of the eighteenth and early nineteenth century African Americans converted to Christianity in large numbers. During the practice both slaves, and slaveholders were both considered to be equal. Churches became a safe space for slaves. The modern phase of black Christianity is marked by the invisible institution, northern black denominations that wanted to free the slaves in the south and the ending of slavery. Political figure Edward Wilmot Blyden wrote an article on his views in “Christianity and the Negro Race” (1876). Where he debunks the notion that slaves were considered companions and that they were equals by the church. Blyden continues to go into detail about all the flaws in Christianity referring to how it was used to divide and conquer the world as a material possession. And in contrast to Christianity, Blyden glorifies Islamic faith by saying “Islam extinguishes all distinction founded upon race, colour, or nationality.” Blyden continues to slander Christianity by saying it inhibits the development of Black self determination. The “New Negro” men and women refused to tolerate white supremacist that refused to recognize African Americans as equals. Southern white men did not take to this very well with African American men and women getting lynched in the mass quantities. Tida B. Wells- Barnett was an advocate for the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) who proposed the Dyer Bill which will federally protect anyone from lynching. Author Mary Church Terrell praised Barnett for her radical stance against lynching. Terrell then went into detail that Barnett is going to have to protest and fight her way through the “door of justice” and demand justice against white violence. If she wanted an equal chance in America. This Inspired Barnett to change her strategy. With the help of the National Association of colored people (NAACP), (NACW) were able to not only raise thousands of dollars for her anti lynching, and rape campaign to raise awareness of the realities of white violence in the south. She insisted that blacks raise their own money to attend rallies and congressional meetings and participate in the radical movement. Barnett successfully linked the disenfranchisement to rape and lynching of African americans, and insisted that women's suffrage was vital to the goal of equal protection. African Americans understood the power of the ballot. If the black women were allowed to vote, then so will the white women. This appealed to the white women in the south who just like black clubwomen refused to accept the idea that male politics has no place for women. The Dryer bill wasn’t passed until 75 years later. It was brought up that nearly two hundred anti- lynching bills has been introduced to congress in the first half of the twentieth century, but none were successful.

Washington and Du Bois both had the same vision about black excellence. They both wanted to see their African American brothers and sisters prosper in white America. The only difference is the way that they went about making their vision become a reality. Washington took the passive way that begged white philanthropist for money to support the black schools by saying if you support black schools you are indirectly making the black economy better. He continues to praise the white man and dehumanizing African Americans by saying that we work to keep the possessive investment of whiteness. I disagree with this view on using white philanthropist to push our own agenda. Using white philanthropist money looks like the lazy way out of expecting change. To create change you must take matters into your own hands as both Blyden did when he began to question the fundamentals of Christianity or with Barnett with the help of the (NAACP), ( NACW), and southern white women raised awareness to help fight against lynching of innocent African Americans and the sexual exploitation of black women. Du Bois racial philosophy deemed superior because not only has it been backed up with social movements that led to the advancement of African Americans. Du bois paved the way of what you know to be black America today.