Schools of the South

The Schools of the South refer to a group of African American intellectuals, writers, and activists from the southern United States during the early to mid-20th century. Key figures include W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington, who developed differing strategies for achieving racial equality. Du Bois emphasized higher education, civil rights, and challenging segregation through activism and scholarship. Washington promoted vocational training and gradual progress within the existing social order. These approaches reflected contrasting ideas on how African Americans could improve their lives, shaping debates on race, education, and civil rights during that era.