“The Hands vs. The Mind: Washington and Du Bois in Opposition”- Mixtape

 


Cenadie Morale

English 2016-45498

Dr.Harris

December 1,2025


“The Hands vs. The Mind: Washington and Du Bois in Opposition”

          For my major project, I am focusing on the binary opposition between vocational education and academic education, represented by Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. Washington believed that Black Americans should focus on vocational skills, hard work, and building economic stability. Du Bois, on the other hand, argued that Black Americans needed higher education, leadership training, and full civil rights right away. To show the differences between these two ideas, I created a 13-track mixtape. Each track connects to one of the two educational philosophies and helps explain the contrast between “The Hands” (Washington) and “The Mind” (Du Bois).

          The mixtape begins with Track 1: “Work Song” by Nina Simone, which represents Washington’s idea that progress comes through physical labor and discipline. Track 2: “Hard Work” by Theo Katzman continues this theme, showing how Washington encouraged Black people to gain respect through skill and effort. Track 3: “Workin’ Day and Night” by Michael Jackson reflects the nonstop dedication Washington believed was necessary for success. After these work-focused tracks, the mixtape begins to shift toward Du Bois’s ideas with Track 4: “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron.” This track represents Du Bois’s argument that knowledge, awareness, and leadership are needed to challenge injustice.

         From tracks five to nine, the mixtape moves back and forth between the two viewpoints. Track 5: “Optimistic” by Sounds of Blackness supports Washington’s belief in self-help and staying hopeful while building strong communities. Track 6: “The Charade” by D’Angelo & The Vanguard reflects Du Bois’s belief that education must address racism directly, not avoid it. Track 7: “Freedom” by Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar connects to Du Bois’s call for immediate equality and active resistance. Track 8: “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke returns to Washington’s slower, more patient view of progress. Track 9: “Double Consciousness Interlude,” based on Du Bois’s writing, highlights his idea that Black Americans live with two identities and must understand themselves deeply, which connects strongly to academic learning.

          The last part of the mixtape brings together both viewpoints while still showing their differences. Track 10: “Lift Every Voice and Sing” represents a shared hope for Black advancement. Track 11: “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar relates to Du Bois’s belief in pushing forward through awareness and activism. Track 12: “Rise Up” by Andra Day reflects Washington’s message of perseverance and strength. Finally, Track 13: “Glory” by Common and John Legend brings both sides together, suggesting that both vocational skills and academic education have played an important role in the fight for equality.

           The main text I use for this project is W.E.B. Du Bois’s “The Training of Black Men.” In this essay, Du Bois argues why higher education is important for the progress of Black Americans and why relying only on vocational training is not enough. This text helps guide my project and makes it clear how strong the contrast is between the two educational approaches. The mixtape as a whole helps show how both ideas—working with the hands and thinking with the mind—have shaped African American history.

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