James Lee Dickey: An Analysis of One African-American's Leadership in Jim Crow Texas

Du Bois the Sociologist

Du Bois wanted to create a better brand of Negro. Washington's southern outlook was rural while Du Bois' higher education occurred in urban areas, specifically Atlanta, Boston and Berlin. Washington's domain, located in the Bible Belt, emphasized strong Protestant upbringing and Christian forms of entertainment. Du Bois thought society could be more secular. He thought amusements should be accessible to young folks. Church socials were fine to a certain extent, but dancing and billiards could also be virtuous entertainment as long as they weren't engaged in saloons and bawdy houses. Like Washington, Du Bois encouraged home ownership and lessons on health and good habits. Negroes should expose the dangers of gambling and instill respect for women. The entire race should be taught the value of day-nurseries, sewing clubs, and mother’s meetings. He further recommended that Negroes should save money instead of purchasing frivolous items such as fancy clothes or insurance schemes. Every penny should go toward education, property ownership, healthful amusement and a rainy day fund. Negroes themselves should make certain their children attend school daily. He said “better classes of Negroes should recognize the duty toward the masses.” In his own interpretation of The Gospel of Wealth, Du Bois encouraged more successful, affluent African American to uplift those less fortunate. 

This page has paths:

This page references: