Mr. Washington distinctly asked that black people give up at least for the present three things. First political power, second, insistence on civil rights, third, higher education for Negro youth and concentrate all their energies on industrial education, and accumulation of wealth, and the conciliation of the south.” (Du Bois, 53) In the essay “Of the meaning of Progress” a related issue noted by Du bois, is when he went to the commissioner’s house and was asked to stay for dinner. Surprisingly, they ate first, and he ate second, alone. This incident in itself more than likely provoked Du bois to feel a certain way about himself as being a black man in America, who is portrayed less than who he really is, and contemplated over the issue of racism and living behind the veil. (Du bois, 65)
To enhance, Du Bois mentions “Sam Carlon an impudent old skinflint who had definite notions about “niggers” and hired Ben a summer, and would not pay him. Then the hungry boy gathered his sacks together, and in broad daylight went into Carlon’s corn and when the hard fisted farmer set upon him, the angry boy flew at him like a beast. Doc. Burke saved a murder and a lynching that day.” (Du Bois,