Absolutely right. It’s unfortunate that the likes of Du Bois, and later, Malcom X, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Cornel, et al, are revered in American history while Booker T. Washington is dismissed as an accommodating “Uncle Tom.”
Everyone—black, white, hispanic, etc.—would serves themselves well by following the lessons of Booker Washington’s life and his philosophy.
Norrell’s book, Up from History, is a fantastic read, by the way.
Although Malcolm X was a deeply flawed individual, had he lived, he might’ve ended up being more of a leader for self-reliance in the Black community. Before his assassination, he was already vocal about blasting liberal Democrats, and their being more destructive than any so-called ‘White right-wing bigots.’
MLK, conversely, was the one leading the Black community down the primrose path to leftism and more governmental dependence. I’ve been very critical of him and of FReepers who have rose-colored glasses where he is concerned (believing he’d somehow be a great “Conservative leader” today). He would’ve differed little from Jesse Jackson had he lived into the ‘80s or ‘90s and would’ve been ecstatic at the execrable occupant of the White House. MLK was more about politics and self-promotion than anything else. Booker T. warned us about those types long ago.