The Negro Problem

"The Negro Problem" is a collection of essays by prominent African American writers, edited by Booker T. Washington, where each author explores various aspects of the challenges faced by Black Americans in the early 20th century, primarily focusing on the idea that African Americans should prioritize vocational training and economic self-sufficiency to achieve social progress, with Washington's central argument being that practical "industrial education" is the key to uplifting the Black community by enabling them to become skilled workers and actively participate in the economy, rather than solely relying on manual labor; this perspective often contrasted with other viewpoints within the book, like W.E.B. Du Bois' emphasis on higher education and civil rights activism as essential for racial equality.