Talented Tenth

Definition

The Talented Tenth is a term coined by W.E.B. Du Bois to describe the top ten percent of educated and skilled African Americans who were seen as the leaders of the race. This concept emerged as a response to the systemic racism and social injustices faced by Black Americans, advocating for higher education and leadership among the African American community. Du Bois believed that this elite group would uplift the entire race through their achievements and intellectual contributions, contrasting sharply with more accommodationist views that emphasized vocational training and industrial education.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Du Bois argued that the Talented Tenth would lead the fight against racism and promote social change in America.
2. The idea challenged the philosophy of Booker T. Washington, who believed in gradual progress through vocational training rather than immediate pursuit of higher education.
3. Du Bois emphasized the importance of liberal arts education as a means to develop leadership skills among African Americans.
4. The Talented Tenth concept played a significant role in the formation of civil rights organizations like the NAACP, which sought to empower educated Black leaders.
5. This idea has influenced generations of African American leaders and thinkers, shaping discussions around education, leadership, and social responsibility.

Review Questions

• How did W.E.B. Du Bois's concept of the Talented Tenth differ from Booker T. Washington's views on education for African Americans?
  • W.E.B. Du Bois's concept of the Talented Tenth emphasized the importance of higher education and cultivating an elite group of educated African Americans who could lead the community. In contrast, Booker T. Washington advocated for vocational training and industrial education, believing that economic self-reliance would gradually improve the status of Black Americans. This fundamental difference in approach highlighted a broader debate within the African American community about strategies for achieving social and economic advancement.
• Discuss how the Talented Tenth idea contributed to the formation of civil rights organizations like the NAACP.
  • The Talented Tenth idea played a crucial role in shaping civil rights organizations like the NAACP by promoting the notion that educated African Americans had a responsibility to lead their communities in the fight against racial injustice. This concept inspired activists to focus on leveraging the skills and intellect of Black leaders to advocate for civil rights, legal justice, and social reform. The NAACP's founding members included many individuals who embodied this belief, aiming to elevate the status of African Americans through activism and legal challenges.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the Talented Tenth concept on contemporary discussions about race and education in America.
  • The long-term impact of the Talented Tenth concept continues to resonate in contemporary discussions about race and education in America. It has influenced debates surrounding access to higher education, representation in leadership roles, and discussions on social responsibility among educated individuals within marginalized communities. The idea challenges current educational policies and practices by highlighting the importance of equity in educational opportunities, urging society to consider how systemic inequalities affect the potential for future generations to achieve leadership roles and contribute positively to their communities.

Related terms

W.E.B. Du Bois: An influential African American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist who co-founded the NAACP and advocated for higher education for Black Americans.

Booker T. Washington: An African American educator and leader who promoted vocational training and economic self-reliance over classical education as a means for Black advancement.

NAACP: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, an organization founded in 1909 to fight for civil rights and social justice for African Americans.