Week Four

This weeks lecture and the AlabamaNorth reading reflect such an interesting time in history, the Great Migration during the Progressive Era in the early 20th century. This migration of people established a new economy, ideas, and large population increases in major cities. This should have been an amazing time for the people, with unlimited dreams and aspirations for the future; however, for the African American migrants who were coming from the south faced a much different reality. For them, this time was one of limited opportunity, inequality, and discrimination. 

The two major players we discussed, Booker Washington and W.E.B DuBois, were two of the many voices to speak out for the black citizens. I was very shocked to find out that their views and ideas of how to move out of inequality were so drastically different. Washington, and accommodationist, did just that- he held a "if you can't change the whites, don't, but work and be successful" attitude. He was very dedicated to developing a working middle class and promoting black economic progress. The passion that fueled his ideas were very different than DuBois's who voted not to accommodate, but to integrate - to not give up. 

Though both ultimately wanted the very best possible outcome for every black citizen, it must have been hard to believe and support radical changes when different leaders hold such strong opinions and ideas. Had I been an African American during this time, faced with such a need for change I could only imagine how difficult it would have been to choose which direction would best help me establish a new life in a new time.