Booker T. Washington, WEB DuBois, and Ida B. Wells-Barnett (USII.4c)

During a time when Black people faced discrimination and unfair laws called "Jim Crow," some prominent (famous) African Americans responded in different ways.

One person, Booker T. Washington, believed that if African Americans learned job skills, they could become equal with white people. He knew they had to be separate, but secretly worked against the unfair laws.

Another person, W.E.B. DuBois, thought that African Americans should have all the same rights as white people, like voting and being treated fairly. He started an organization called the NAACP with Ida B. Wells-Barnett to help fight for these rights.

Ida B. Wells-Barnett herself fought against lynching and other unfair treatment of African Americans. She wrote articles and spoke out about the lynchings and other injustices to let people know what was happening.