Talented Tenth

Definition

The Talented Tenth is a term coined by W.E.B. Du Bois referring to the idea that the top ten percent of the African American population should be educated and uplifted to lead the community towards progress. This concept emphasized the importance of higher education, leadership, and the need for an elite class among African Americans to counteract the oppressive systems in place after Reconstruction. Du Bois believed that by cultivating this group, they could advocate for civil rights and social change, setting a standard for the broader community.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The concept of the Talented Tenth emerged in the early 20th century as a response to Jim Crow laws and widespread racial discrimination.
2. Du Bois believed that higher education was crucial for developing leaders who could effectively advocate for African American rights and challenge systemic racism.
3. The Talented Tenth was seen as a counterpoint to Booker T. Washington's philosophy of vocational training and gradualism in achieving racial equality.
4. Du Bois argued that the Talented Tenth would not only uplift themselves but also inspire and educate the larger African American community.
5. This idea has influenced various movements within the African American community, emphasizing the role of educated leaders in driving social change.

Review Questions

• How did W.E.B. Du Bois's concept of the Talented Tenth challenge other ideas about racial progress during his time?
  • Du Bois's concept of the Talented Tenth directly challenged Booker T. Washington's approach, which emphasized vocational training and economic self-reliance over higher education. While Washington advocated for gradual progress and acceptance of segregation, Du Bois believed that an educated elite was essential for challenging systemic racism and achieving civil rights. This ideological divide highlighted differing strategies within the African American community regarding how best to respond to post-Reconstruction oppression.
• Discuss the impact of the Talented Tenth on African American leadership in the early 20th century.
  • The Talented Tenth significantly shaped African American leadership by promoting higher education as a means to cultivate skilled individuals capable of leading social change. Educated leaders emerged from this group, participating in organizations like the NAACP to fight for civil rights. Their influence extended beyond their immediate communities, as they played critical roles in national movements aimed at combating racial injustice, thereby laying groundwork for future generations of activists.
• Evaluate how the concept of the Talented Tenth remains relevant in contemporary discussions about race and education.
  • The idea of the Talented Tenth continues to resonate today, particularly in debates surrounding access to education and socioeconomic mobility within African American communities. Discussions about educational inequities often echo Du Bois's belief in the transformative power of education as a tool for empowerment and advocacy. Furthermore, contemporary leaders often reflect on the necessity of cultivating an educated elite to address systemic issues, suggesting that while strategies may evolve, the core principle of investing in human capital remains vital in confronting ongoing challenges related to race and inequality.

Related terms

W.E.B. Du Bois: A prominent African American intellectual and civil rights activist who co-founded the NAACP and advocated for the education and uplift of African Americans.

NAACP: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, an organization founded in 1909 to fight for civil rights and combat racial discrimination.

Literacy Tests: A tool used in many Southern states post-Reconstruction aimed at disenfranchising African American voters by requiring them to demonstrate reading and writing skills.