Meaning: The quote you provided encapsulates a significant moment in the history of African American civil rights and the evolution of the struggle for racial equality. The quote refers to a pivotal shift in the ideology and approach advocated by prominent African American leaders, specifically between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, and the impact of this shift on the trajectory of the Negro struggle.

Booker T. Washington, an influential African American educator, author, and orator, rose to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a proponent of industrial education and economic self-sufficiency for African Americans, emphasizing vocational training and entrepreneurship as a means of advancing the race. Washington's philosophy, often referred to as the "Atlanta Compromise," called for African Americans to accept segregation and disenfranchisement in exchange for economic opportunities and the gradual improvement of their social and political status. This accommodationist approach aimed to gain the support of white leaders and secure incremental progress for African Americans within the existing social order.

W.E.B. Du Bois, on the other hand, was a leading intellectual, sociologist, and civil rights activist who vehemently opposed Washington's conciliatory stance. Du Bois rejected the idea of accommodation and instead advocated for full civil rights, political representation, and higher education for African Americans. He co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909 and became a vocal critic of racial inequality, segregation, and the systemic oppression of African Americans. Du Bois's approach, often characterized as the "Niagara Movement," emphasized the urgency of demanding immediate equality and justice, challenging the status quo of racial subordination.

The significance of the quote lies in its recognition of W.E.B. Du Bois's departure from Booker T. Washington's ideology as a transformative moment in the history of the Negro struggle. Du Bois's rejection of Washington's accommodationist views marked a paradigm shift, signaling a new era of resistance, activism, and uncompromising demands for civil rights and social equality. In essence, Du Bois's declaration that Negroes could no longer accept the subordination preached by Washington represented a clear break from the passive acceptance of segregation and discrimination, heralding a more assertive and confrontational approach in the fight for racial justice.

The quote also highlights the ongoing debate and divergence of strategies within the African American community regarding the most effective means of advancing the cause of civil rights. This internal dialogue and ideological conflict reflect the complexities and challenges inherent in the struggle for racial equality, as well as the diversity of perspectives and tactics employed by African American leaders and activists throughout history.

In conclusion, the quote serves as a poignant reminder of the pivotal role played by W.E.B. Du Bois in reshaping the trajectory of the Negro struggle and challenging the status quo of racial subordination. It encapsulates the ideological shift away from accommodationist principles and toward a more assertive, unyielding pursuit of civil rights and social equality. By recognizing this watershed moment in African American history, the quote emphasizes the enduring legacy of individuals like Du Bois who courageously confronted injustice and paved the way for the advancement of the Negro struggle.