Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois were among two of the most influential black leaders that strove to attain racial equality for African Americans during the early twentieth century. Although both Washington and Dubois sought to advance civil rights for African Americans, each stressed a contrasting philosophy as to how to achieve their goal (Taylor).
             Heeding the belief that blacks would be granted civil and political rights after gaining economic independence, Washington urged blacks to temporally set aside their desire for equality and work toward economic advancement. Washington captured this philosophy cleverly in the phrase: "In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress" (Harlan). He was thus of the belief that blacks should remain "separate yet equal" and promoted the temporarily acceptance of segregation in exchange for economic advancement (Salley).
             In accordance his philosophy, Washington also maintained that a vocational education, rather than a college education, was the quickest route to economic success for blacks. He held that the development of practical work skills would give blacks an upper hand in seeking employment (Taylor). To foster his beliefs, Washington founded the Tuskegee institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, which trained thousands of black people in industrialized trades such as farming, blacksmithing, plumbing, carpentry, and mechanics (Taylor).
             White America was largely in support of Washington's philosophy, as they viewed his outward acceptance of segregation and his opposition to black militancy as a means of encouraging blacks to face their inferior social status. Whites therefore hailed Washington as a representative for all of black America in dealing with racial issues (Salley).
             Among the black populous of America, Washington's philosophy was also well received. It was ac...