Washington thought that African Americans should focus on economic opportunities to begin with to make their lives better. White and black people can work together economically, but remain separate socially, said Washington. He argued against trying to do too much too soon; it takes time to accomplish political equality. Political equality, while an ultimate and important goal, should be set on the “back burner” and emphasis should be put on gaining economic equality. A lot of energy should not be used on pushing social equality, “The opportunity to earn a dollar in a factory just now is worth infinitely more than the opportunity to spend a dollar in an opera-house.” Vocational education was the preferred approach to advancement, not a liberal arts education. Washington urged white southerners to allow African Americans to take part in the economy saying, “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.” Ultimately, Washington felt that if white southerners extended employment opportunities to African Americans it would have been in their best
Washington thought that African Americans should focus on economic opportunities to begin with to make their lives better. White and black people can work together economically, but remain separate socially, said Washington. He argued against trying to do too much too soon; it takes time to accomplish political equality. Political equality, while an ultimate and important goal, should be set on the “back burner” and emphasis should be put on gaining economic equality. A lot of energy should not be used on pushing social equality, “The opportunity to earn a dollar in a factory just now is worth infinitely more than the opportunity to spend a dollar in an opera-house.” Vocational education was the preferred approach to advancement, not a liberal arts education. Washington urged white southerners to allow African Americans to take part in the economy saying, “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.” Ultimately, Washington felt that if white southerners extended employment opportunities to African Americans it would have been in their best