GMAT Reading Comprehension

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Source: GWD

Level: 3

In a 1918 editorial, W.E.B. Du Bois advised African Americans to stop agitating for equality and to proclaim their solidarity with White Americans for the duration of the First World War. The editorial surprised many African Americans who viewed Du Bois as an uncompromising African American leader and a chief opponent of the accommodationist tactics urged by Booker, T.Washington. In fact, however, Du Bois often shifted positions along the continuum between Washington and confrontationists such as William Trotter. In 1895, when Washington called on African Americans to concentrate on improving their communities instead of opposing discrimination and agitating for political rights, Du Bois praised Washington's speech. In 1903, however, Du Bois aligned himself with Trotter, Washington's militant opponent, less for ideological reasons than because Trotter had described to him Washington's efforts to silence those in the African American press who opposed Washington's positions. reflected not a change in his long-term goals but rather a pragmatic response in the face of social pressure: government officials had threatened African American journalists with censorship if they continued to voice grievances. Furthermore, Du Bois believed that African Americans' contributions to past war efforts had brought them some legal and political advances. Du Bois' accommodationism did not last, however. Upon learning of systematic discrimination experienced by African Americans in the military, he called on them to "return fighting" from the war.

Question List: 1 2 3

The passage indicates which of the following about Du Bois' attitude toward Washington?

  • A It underwent a shift during the First World War as Du Bois became more sympathetic with Trotter's views.
  • B It underwent a shift in 1903 for reasons Other than Du Bois' disagreement with Washington's accommodationist views.
  • C It underwent a shift as Du Bois made a long-term commitment to the strategy of accommodation.
  • D It remained consistently positive even Though Du Bois disagreed with Washington's efforts to control the African American press.
  • E It was shaped primarily by Du Bois' appreciation of Washington's pragmatic approach to the advancement of the interests of African Americans.

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