W. E. B. DuBois and the Triple Paradox

W. E. B. DuBois wrote a criticism of Booker T. Washington's Atlanta Compromise in his collection Souls of Black Folk. Most of his criticism was based around DuBois's belief that a triple paradox existed within Washington's ideas. According to to DuBois, the triple paradox was as follows: First of all, Washington encourages Black merchants and artisans to become affluent landowners, yet this is impossible without them having the right to vote. Secondly, Washington wants the Negro race to have dignity and respect, but at the same time, he encourages them to act socially inferior to other races. Finally, he suggests that Blacks only worry about getting a basic education and don't concern themselves with college and higher learning, and yet the teachers trained in Negro colleges are necessary for society to function.

--Wald der Chinesisch