W.E.B. DuBois starts his chapter opposing Booker T. Washington with this sentence:
In failing thus to state plainly and unequivocally the legitimate demands of their people, even at the cost of opposing an honored leader, the thinking classes of American Negroes would shirk a heavy responsibility, -- a responsibility to themselves, a responsibility to the struggling masses, a responsibility to the darker races of men whose future depends so largely on this American experiment, but especially a responsibility to this nation, -- this common Fatherland.
If DuBois considers himself part of the “thinking classes of American Negroes,” what does this sentence give him permission to do?
If W.E.B DuBois considers himself part of the thinking class then he is giving himself responsibility to lead other American Negroes and to determine the future of himself and other Negroes alike. The sentence is permissing him to take up ll of these heavy responsibilities.
