Post 9- Poem from Chapter 8- Thomas Ueland

Booker T. and W.E.B.

Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois

By Dudley Randall
"It seems to me," said Booker T.,
"It shows a mighty lot of cheek
To study chemistry and Greek
When Mister Charlie needs a hand
To hoe the cotton on his land,
And when Miss Ann looks for a cook,
Why stick your nose inside a book?"

"I don't agree," said W.E.B.
"If I should have the drive to seek
Knowledge of chemistry or Greek,
I'll do it. Charles and Miss can look
Another place for hand or cook,
Some men rejoice in skill of hand,
And some in cultivating land,
But there are others who maintain
The right to cultivate the brain."

"It seems to me," said Booker T.,
"That all you folks have missed the boat
Who shout about the right to vote,
And spend vain days and sleepless nights
In uproar over civil rights.
Just keep your mouths shut, do not grouse,
But work, and save, and buy a house."

"I don't agree," said W.E.B.
"For what can property avail
If dignity and justice fail?
Unless you help to make the laws,
They'll steal your house with trumped-up clause.
A rope's as tight, a fire as hot,
No matter how much cash you've got.
Speak soft, and try your little plan,
But as for me, I'll be a man."

"It seems to me," said Booker T.--

"I don't agree,"
Said W.E.B

http://www.huarchivesnet.howard.edu/9908huarnet/randall.htm 

The poem employs internal rhyme on the first line of each stanza, and then follows the rhyme pattern of AABBCC. It rhythmically pits the contrasting views of W.E.B DuBois and Booker T. Washington regarding civil rights; Washington focused on manual labor as a way of advancing the African American community ("Just keep your mouths shut, do not grouse, but work, and save, and buy a house.") whereas DuBois thought intellectual stimulation was more important ("For what can property avail if dignity and justice fail?). Both men attempt to convince the other that their position is the right one, but the ending of the poem suggests that the argument is never resolved. Even though they disagree with the means, Washington and DuBois have the same end result in mind: the betterment of the African American population. Their rebellious ideas and willingness to act on their beliefs helped to institute change for the better in this world. 

"Poetry is man's rebellion against what he is." This quote suggests than man is a conformist being, and that poetry is a way for humans to express their unique positions without being shunned by societal norms. Washington and DuBois, the subjects of the poem, both spread their teachings and experiences through writing (Washington in Up from Slavery and DuBois in The Souls of Black Folk.) Writing can be more influential and timeless than person-to-person persuasion, and serve as a resource for a man's ideas that would be frowned upon in public.