W.E.B. DuBois

“Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow. Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.”

W.E.B. DuBois

       William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) DuBois’s (1868-1963) was one of the most important African American figures in American history.  Dubois was a scholar who became the first African American to earn a Ph.D in history.  He studied in German and got his PHD in the prestigious Harvard University. In the lecture, Black Progressives and the Early Civil Rights Movement, it is discussed that he was a political activist, who sought to “expand the work of African Americans.” With that in mind, he fought for African American’s equality, for civil rights, and education. His writings inspired and confronted   the myth of white supremacy, and debunk them one at a time.” He also created intuitions and voluntary associations with the goal of mobilizing the African American Population. 

         DuBois was critical of Booker T. Washington, and publicly opposed to what he called, Washington’s submissive attitude.  Contrary to Washington DuBois  thought that African Americans should fight for their rights. He strongly believed that education was the best means to African Americans had to better themselves. He is one of the most influential African American figures in the United States then, and is still  admired today.