Booker T. Washington was one of the most influential black leader's of his time. He preached a philosophy of "self-help, racial solidarity and accommodation." He also told blacks to accept discrimination for the time being, put up with segregation in social circumstances and try to elevate themselves through hard work. He thought that education in crafts, industrial and farming skills and the cultivation of the virtues of patience, enterprise and thrift would win the respect of whites and lead to African Americans being fully accepted as citizens and included in society.
W.E.B. Du Bois opposed this idea and thought that civil rights protest and political action would be more successful
The invisible man shows Washington's philosophy through out the novel. He continually shows this through working hard and trying to better his place in society despite the racism. He learns to deal with this racism and make the most out of life.
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WEB Du Bois also has view about how to deal with racism. To see Washington's and Du Bois's philosophies click here.