,! ,am]ican ,negro ,academy             
,occasional ,pap]s1 ,no4 #b4     ,!     
,cons]vation ( ,races4    ,,by   ,w4 ,e4
 ,,burgh>dt ,du ,,bois4     ,,wa%+ton1  
,d4 ,c4   ,publi%$ by ! ,academy4       
#ahig4      ,bapti/ ,magaz9e ,pr9t1     
,wa%+ton1 ,d4 ,c4    ,ord]s may be s5t  
to ,john ,h4 ,wills4   ,! ,bo/on ,*eap  
,book ,/ore1   ,wa%+ton1 ,d4 ,c4        
,ann\ncem5t   ,! ,am]ican ,negro        
,academy believes t ^u ^? ( ! race :o h 
_h ! advantages ( high] education &     
culture1 re/s ! responsibility ( tak+   
conc]t$ /eps = ! employm5t ( ^! ag5cies 
to uplift ! race to high] planes ( ?\ght
 & action4  ,two great ob/acles to ?is  
consummation are app>5t3 7a7 ,! lack (  
unity1 want ( h>mony1 abs5ce ( a        
self-sacrific+ _s1 & no well-def9$ l9e (
 policy seek+ def9ite aims2 & 7b7 ,!    
p]si/5t1 rel5tless1 at times cov]t      
opposition employ$ to ?w>t ! ,negro at e
 /ep ( 8 upw>d /ruggles to e/abli% !    
ju/ness ( 8 claim to ! highe/ physical1 
intellectual & moral possibilities4  ,! 

,academy w1 !re=e1 f "t to "t1 publi%   
su* pap]s z 9 _! judgm5t aid1 by _!     
broad & s*ol>ly treatm5t ( ! topics     
discuss$ ! dissem9ation ( pr9ciples t5d+
 to ! gr[? & developm5t ( ! ,negro along
 "r l9es1 & ! v9dication ( t race aga9/ 
vici\s assaults4     ,,! ,,cons]vation  
,,( ,,races4   ,! ,am]ican ,negro has   
always felt an int5se p]sonal int]e/ 9  
discussions z to ! orig9s & de/9ies (   
races3 prim>ily because back ( mo/      
discussions ( race ) :i* he is famili>1 
h lurk$ c]ta9 assumptions z to 8 natural
 abilities1 z to 8 political1           
intellectual & moral /atus1 :i* he felt 
7 wrong4 ,he has1 consequ5tly1 be5 l$ to
 deprecate & m9imize race di/9ctions1 to
 believe int5sely t out ( "o blood ,god 
creat$ all nations1 & to speak ( human  
bro!rhood z ?\gh x 7 ! possibility ( an 
already dawn+ to-morr[4  ,nev]!less1 9  
our calm] mom5ts we mu/ ackn[l$ge t     
human be+s are divid$ into races2 t 9   
?is c\ntry ! two mo/ extreme types ( !  
_w's races h met1 & ! result+ problem z 

to ! future relations ( ^! types is n   
only ( int5se & liv+ int]e/ to u1 b =ms 
an epo* 9 ! hi/ory ( mank9d4  ,x is     
necess>y1 !re=e1 9 plann+ our movem5ts1 
9 guid+ our future developm5t1 t at     
times we rise above ! press+1 b small]  
que/ions ( sep>ate s*ools & c>s1        
wage-discrim9ation & lyn* law1 to survey
 ! :ole "q ( race 9 human philosophy &  
to lay1 on a basis ( broad k & c>eful   
insight1 ^? l>ge l9es ( policy & high]  
ideals :i* may =m our guid+ l9es &      
b\nd>ies 9 ! practical difficulties ( e 
day4 ,= x is c]ta9 t all human /riv+ mu/
 recognize ! h>d limits ( natural law1 &
 t any /riv+1 no matt] h[ int5se &      
e>ne/1 :i* is aga9/ ! con/itution ( !   
_w1 is va94 ,! "q1 !n1 :i* we mu/       
s]i\sly consid] is ?is3 ,:at is ! real  
mean+ ( ,race2 :at has1 9 ! pa/1 be5 !  
law ( race developm5t1 & :at lessons has
 ! pa/ hi/ory ( race developm5t to tea* 
! ris+ ,negro p8  ,:5 we ?us come to    
inquire into ! ess5tial diff]5ce ( races
 we f9d x h>d to come at once to any    

def9ite conclusion4 ,_m crit]ia ( race  
diff]5ces h 9 ! pa/ be5 propos$1 z      
color1 hair1 cranial measurem5ts &      
language4 ,& manife/ly1 9 ea* ( ^!      
respects1 human be+s diff] widely4 ,!y  
v>y 9 color1 = in/ance1 f ! m>ble-l     
pallor ( ! ,sc&9avian to ! ri*1 d>k br[n
 ( ! ,zulu1 pass+ by ! creamy ,slav1 !  
yell[ ,*9ese1 ! light br[n ,sicilian & !
 br[n ,egyptian4 ,m5 v>y1 too1 9 !      
texture ( hair f ! ob/9ately /raight    
hair ( ! ,*9ese to ! ob/9ately tuft$ &  
frizzl$ hair ( ! ,bu%man4 ,9 measurem5t 
( heads1 aga91 m5 v>y2 f ! broad-head$  
,t>t> to ! m$ium-head$ ,european & !    
n>r[-head$ ,hott5tot2 or1 aga9 9        
language1 f ! highly-inflect$ ,roman    
tongue to ! monosyllabic ,*9ese4 ,all ^!
 physical *>act]i/ics are pat5t en\gh1 &
 if !y agre$ ) ea* o!r x w\ld be v easy 
to classify mank9d4 ,un=tunately =      
sci5ti/s1 h[ev]1 ^! crit]ia ( race are  
mo/ exasp]at+ly int]m+l$4 ,color does n 
agree ) texture ( hair1 = _m ( ! d>k    
races h /raight hair2 nor does color    

agree ) ! bread? ( ! head1 = ! yell[    
,t>t> has a broad] head ?an ! ,g]man2   
nor1 aga91 has ! sci5ce ( language z yet
 succe$$ 9 cle>+ up ! relative au?ority 
( ^! v>i\s & contradictory crit]ia4 ,!  
f9al ^w ( sci5ce1 s f>1 is t we h at    
lea/ two1 p]haps ?ree1 great families ( 
human be+s--! :ites & ,negroes1 possibly
 ! yell[ race4 ,t o!r races h aris5 f ! 
int]m+l+ ( ! blood ( ^! two4 ,?is broad 
division ( ! _w's races :i* m5 l ,huxley
 & ,raetzel h introduc$ z m ne>ly true  
?an ! old five-race s*eme ( ,blum5ba*1  
is no?+ m ?an an ackn[l$gm5t t1 s f> z  
purely physical *>act]i/ics are conc]n$1
 ! diff]5ces betwe5 m5 d n expla9 all ! 
diff]5ces ( _! hi/ory4 ,x decl>es1 z    
,d>w9 himself said1 t great z is !      
physical unlik5ess ( ! v>i\s races ( m5 
_! lik5esses are great]1 & ^u ?is re/s !
 :ole sci5tific doctr9e ( ,human        
,bro!rhood4  ,al?\gh ! wond]ful         
developm5ts ( human hi/ory tea* t !     
gross] physical diff]5ces ( color1 hair 
& bone g b a %ort way t[>d expla9+ !    

diff]5t roles :i* gr\ps ( m5 h play$ 9  
,human ,progress1 yet !re are           
diff]5ces--subtle1 delicate & elusive1  
?\gh !y may be--:i* h sil5tly b         
def9itely sep>at$ m5 into gr\ps4 ,:ile  
^! subtle =ces h g5]ally foll[$ !       
natural cleavage ( common blood1 desc5t 
& physical peculi>ities1 !y h at o!r    
times swept across & ignor$ ^!4 ,at all 
times1 h[ev]1 !y h divid$ human be+s    
into races1 :i*1 :ile !y p]haps transc5d
 sci5tific def9ition1 nev]!less1 are    
cle>ly def9$ to ! eye ( ! ,hi/orian &   
,sociologi/4  ,if ?is be true1 !n !     
hi/ory ( ! _w is ! hi/ory1 n (          
individuals1 b ( gr\ps1 n ( nations1 b (
 races1 & he :o ignores or seeks to     
ov]ride ! race idea 9 human hi/ory      
ignores & ov]rides ! c5tral ?\ght ( all 
hi/ory4 ,:at1 !n1 is a race8 ,x is a va/
 family ( human be+s1 g5]ally ( common  
blood & language1 always ( common       
hi/ory1 traditions & impulses1 :o are   
bo? volunt>ily & involunt>ily /riv+     
toge!r = ! accompli%m5t ( c]ta9 m or    

less vividly conceiv$ ideals ( life4    
,turn+ to real hi/ory1 !re c be no d\bt1
 fir/1 z to ! widespread1 nay1 univ]sal1
 preval5ce ( ! race idea1 ! race _s1 !  
race ideal1 & z to its effici5cy z !    
va/e/ & mo/ +5i\s inv5tion = human      
progress4 ,we1 :o h be5 re>$ & tra9$ "u 
! individuali/ic philosophy ( !         
,decl>ation ( ,indep5d5ce & !           
laiss]-faire philosophy ( ,adam ,smi?1  
are loa? to see & loa? to ackn[l$ge ?is 
pat5t fact ( human hi/ory4 ,we see !    
,ph>aohs1 ,caes>s1 ,t\ssa9ts &          
,napoleons ( hi/ory & =get ! va/ races (
 :i* !y 7 b epitomiz$ expressions4 ,we  
are apt to ?9k 9 our ,am]ican impati5ce1
 t :ile x may h be5 true 9 ! pa/ t clos$
 race gr\ps made hi/ory1 t "h 9         
conglom]ate ,am]ica n\s avons *ang] t\t 
cela--we h *ang$ all t1 & h no ne$ ( ?is
 anci5t in/rum5t ( progress4 ,?is       
assumption ( :i* ! ,negro p are         
especially fond1 c n be e/abli%$ by a   
c>eful consid]ation ( hi/ory4  ,we f9d  
^u ! _w's /age today eight di/9ctly     

diff]5tiat$ races1 9 ! s5se 9 :i*       
,hi/ory tells u ! ^w mu/ be us$4 ,!y    
are1 ! ,slavs ( ea/]n ,europe1 !        
,teutons ( middle ,europe1 ! ,engli% (  
,great ,brita9 & ,am]ica1 ! ,romance    
nations ( ,s\!rn & ,we/]n ,europe1 !    
,negroes ( ,africa & ,am]ica1 ! ,semitic
 p ( ,we/]n ,asia & ,nor!rn ,africa1 !  
,h9doos ( ,c5tral ,asia & ! ,mongolians 
( ,ea/]n ,asia4 ,!re are1 ( c\rse1 o!r  
m9or race gr\ps1 z ! ,am]ican ,indians1 
! ,esquimaux & ! ,s\? ,sea ,isl&]s2 ^!  
l>g] races1 too1 are f> f homog5e\s2 !  
,slav includes ! ,cze*1 ! ,magy>1 !     
,pole & ! ,russian2 ! ,teuton includes !
 ,g]man1 ! ,sc&9avian & ! ,dut*2 !      
,engli% include ! ,scot*1 ! ,iri% & !   
conglom]ate ,am]ican4 ,"u ,romance      
nations ! widely-diff]+ ,fr5*man1       
,italian1 ,sicilian & ,spani>d are      
compreh5d$4 ,! t]m ,negro is1 p]haps1 ! 
mo/ indef9ite ( all1 comb9+ ! ,mulattoes
 & ,zamboes ( ,am]ica & ! ,egyptians1   
,bantus & ,bu%m5 ( ,africa4 ,among !    
,h9doos are traces ( widely diff]+      

nations1 :ile ! great ,*9ese1 ,t>t>1    
,corean & ,japanese families fall "u !  
"o designation--,mongolian4  ,! "q n[   
is3 ,:at is ! real di/9ction betwe5 ^!  
nations8 ,is x ! physical diff]5ces (   
blood1 color & cranial measurem5ts8     
,c]ta9ly we mu/ all ackn[l$ge t physical
 diff]5ces play a great "p1 & t1 ) wide 
exceptions & qualifications1 ^! eight   
great races ( to-day foll[ ! cleavage ( 
physical race di/9ctions2 ! ,engli% &   
,teuton repres5t ! :ite v>iety ( mank9d2
 ! ,mongolian1 ! yell[2 ! ,negroes1 !   
black4 ,betwe5 ^! are _m crosses &      
mixtures1 :]e ,mongolian & ,teuton h    
bl5d$ into ! ,slav1 & o!r mixtures h    
produc$ ! ,romance nations & ! ,semites4
 ,b :ile race diff]5ces h foll[$ ma9ly  
physical race l9es1 yet no m]e physical 
di/9ctions w\ld really def9e or expla9 !
 deep] diff]5ces--! cohesiv5ess &       
cont9uity ( ^! gr\ps4 ,! deep] diff]5ces
 are spiritual1 psy*ical1               
diff]5ces--und\bt$ly bas$ on ! physical1
 b inf9itely transc5d+ !m4 ,! =ces t b9d

 toge!r ! ,teuton nations are1 !n1 fir/1
 _! race id5tity & common blood2        
secondly1 & m important1 a common       
hi/ory1 common laws & religion1 simil>  
habits ( ?\ght & a consci\s /riv+ toge!r
 = c]ta9 ideals ( life4 ,! :ole process 
:i* has br\ght ab\t ^! race             
diff]5tiations has be5 a gr[?1 & ! great
 *>act]i/ic ( ?is gr[? has be5 !        
diff]5tiation ( spiritual & m5tal       
diff]5ces betwe5 great races ( mank9d & 
! integration ( physical diff]5ces4  ,! 
age ( nomadic tribes ( closely relat$   
individuals repres5ts ! maximum (       
physical diff]5ces4 ,!y 7 practically   
va/ families1 & !re 7 z _m gr\ps z      
families4 ,z ! families came toge!r to  
=m cities ! physical diff]5ces less5$1  
purity ( blood 0 replac$ by ! requirem5t
 ( domicile1 & all :o liv$ )9 ! city    
b\nds became gradually to be reg>d$ z   
memb]s ( ! gr\p2 i4 e41 !re 0 a slight &
 sl[ break+ d[n ( physical b>ri]s4 ,?is1
 h[ev]1 0 accompani$ by an increase ( ! 
spiritual & social diff]5ces betwe5     

cities4 ,?is city became husb&m51 ?is1  
m]*ants1 ano!r w>riors1 & s on4 ,!      
ideals ( life = :i* ! diff]5t cities    
/ruggl$ 7 diff]5t4 ,:5 at la/ cities    
began to coalesce into nations !re 0    
ano!r break+ d[n ( b>ri]s :i* sep>at$   
gr\ps ( m54 ,! l>g] & broad] diff]5ces (
 color1 hair & physical proportions 7 n 
by any means ignor$1 b myriads ( m9or   
diff]5ces disappe>$1 & ! sociological & 
hi/orical races ( m5 began to           
approximate ! pres5t division ( races z 
indicat$ by physical rese>*es4 ,at !    
same "t ! spiritual & physical diff]5ces
 ( race gr\ps :i* con/itut$ ! nations   
became deep & decisive4 ,! ,engli%      
nation /ood = con/itutional lib]ty &    
comm]cial fre$om2 ! ,g]man nation =     
sci5ce & philosophy2 ! ,romance nations 
/ood = lit]ature & art1 & ! o!r race    
gr\ps are /riv+1 ea* 9 its own way1 to  
develope = civilization its p>ticul>    
message1 its p>ticul> ideal1 :i* %all   
help to guide ! _w ne>] & ne>] t        
p]fection ( human life = :i* we all     

long1 t    "o f> (f ,div9e ev5t4  ,?is  
has be5 ! function ( race diff]5ces up  
to ! pres5t "t4 ,:at %all be its        
function 9 ! future8 ,manife/ly "s ( !  
great races ( today--p>ticul>ly ! ,negro
 race--h n z yet giv5 to civilization ! 
full spiritual message :i* !y are       
capable ( giv+4 ,i w n say t ! ,negro   
race has z yet giv5 no message to ! _w1 
= x is /ill a moot$ "q among sci5ti/s z 
to j h[ f> ,egyptian civilization 0     
,negro 9 its orig92 if x 0 n :olly      
,negro1 x 0 c]ta9ly v closely alli$4 ,be
 t z x may1 h[ev] ! fact /ill rema9s t !
 full1 complete ,negro message ( ! :ole 
,negro race has n z yet be5 giv5 to !   
_w3 t ! messages & ideal ( ! yell[ race 
h n be5 complet$1 & t ! /riv+ ( ! mighty
 ,slavs has b begun4 ,! "q is1 !n3 ,h[  
%all ?is message be deliv]$2 h[ %all ^! 
v>i\s ideals be realiz$8 ,! answ] is    
pla93 ,by ! developm5t ( ^! race gr\ps1 
n z individuals1 b z races4 ,= !        
developm5t ( ,japanese g5ius1 ,japanese 
lit]ature & art1 ,japanese _s1 only     

,japanese1 b\nd & weld$ toge!r1         
,japanese inspir$ by "o va/ ideal1 c "w 
out 9 its fullness ! wond]ful message   
:i* ,japan has = ! nations ( ! e>?4 ,= !
 developm5t ( ,negro g5ius1 ( ,negro    
lit]ature & art1 ( ,negro _s1 only      
,negroes b\nd & weld$ toge!r1 ,negroes  
inspir$ by "o va/ ideal1 c "w out 9 its 
fullness ! great message we h =         
humanity4 ,we _c rev]se hi/ory2 we are  
subject to ! same natural laws z o!r    
races1 & if ! ,negro is ev] to be a     
factor 9 ! _w's hi/ory--if among !      
gaily-color$ bann]s t deck ! broad      
ramp>ts ( civilization is to hang "o    
uncompromis+ black1 !n x mu/ be plac$   
!re by black h&s1 fa%ion$ by black heads
 & hall[$ by ! travail ( #bjj1jjj1jjj   
black he>ts beat+ 9 "o glad song (      
jubilee4  ,= ?is reason1 ! advance gu>d 
( ! ,negro p--! #h1jjj1jjj p ( ,negro   
blood 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ( ,am]ica--mu/  
soon come to realize t if !y are to take
 _! j place 9 ! van ( ,pan-,negroism1 !n
 _! de/9y is n absorption by ! :ite     

,am]icans4 ,t if 9 ,am]ica x is to be   
prov5 = ! fir/ "t 9 ! mod]n _w t n only 
,negroes are capable ( evolv+ individual
 m5 l ,t\ssa9t1 ! ,savi\r1 b are a      
nation /or$ ) wond]ful possibilities (  
culture1 !n _! de/9y is n a s]vile      
imitation ( ,anglo-,saxon culture1 b a  
/alw>t orig9ality :i* %all unsw]v+ly    
foll[ ,negro ideals4  ,x may1 h[ev]1 be 
object$ "h t ! situation ( our race 9   
,am]ica r5d]s ?is attitude impossible2 t
 our sole hope ( salvation lies 9 our   
be+ able to lose our race id5tity 9 !   
comm+l$ blood ( ! nation2 & t any o!r   
c\rse w\ld m]ely increase ! friction (  
races :i* we call race prejudice1 &     
aga9/ :i* we h s long & s e>ne/ly f\ght4
  ,"h1 !n1 is ! dilemma1 & x is a puzzl+
 "o1 ,i admit4 ,no ,negro :o has giv5   
e>ne/ ?\ght to ! situation ( 8 p 9      
,am]ica has fail$1 at "s "t 9 life1 to  
f9d himself at ^! cross-roads2 has fail$
 to ask himself at "s "t3 ,:at1 aft]    
all1 am ,i8 ,am ,i an ,am]ican or am ,i 
a ,negro8 ,c ,i be bo?8 ,or is x my duty

 to cease to be a ,negro z soon z       
possible & be an ,am]ican8 ,if ,i /rive 
z a ,negro1 am ,i n p]petuat+ ! v cleft 
t ?reat5s & sep>ates ,black & ,:ite     
,am]ica8 ,is n my only possible         
practical aim ! subduction ( all t is   
,negro 9 me to ! ,am]ican8 ,does my     
black blood place ^u me any m obligation
 to ass]t my nationality ?an ,g]man1 or 
,iri% or ,italian blood w\ld8  ,x is su*
 incessant self-que/ion+ & ! hesitation 
t arises f x1 t is mak+ ! pres5t p]iod a
 "t ( vacillation & contradiction = !   
,am]ican ,negro2 comb9$ race action is  
/ifl$1 race responsibility is %irk$1    
race ent]prises langui%1 & ! be/ blood1 
! be/ tal5t1 ! be/ en]gy ( ! ,negro p _c
 be m>%all$ to d ! bidd+ ( ! race4 ,!y  
/& back to make room = e rascal &       
demagogue :o *ooses to cloak 8 selfi%   
deviltry "u ! veil ( race pride4  ,is   
?is "r8 ,is x rational8 ,is x good      
policy8 ,h we 9 ,am]ica a di/9ct mission
 z a race--a di/9ct sph]e ( action & an 
opportunity = race developm5t1 or is    

self-oblit]ation ! highe/ end to :i*    
,negro blood d>e aspire8  ,if we        
c>efully consid] :at race prejudice     
really is1 we f9d x1 hi/orically1 to be 
no?+ b ! friction betwe5 diff]5t gr\ps (
 p2 x is ! diff]5ce 9 aim1 9 feel+1 9   
ideals ( two diff]5t races2 if1 n[1 ?is 
diff]5ce exi/s t\*+ t]ritory1 laws1     
language1 or ev5 religion1 x is manife/ 
t ^! p _c live 9 ! same t]ritory )\t    
fatal collision2 b if1 on ! o!r h&1 !re 
is sub/antial agreem5t 9 laws1 language 
& religion2 if !re is a satisfactory    
adju/m5t ( economic life1 !n !re is no  
reason :y1 9 ! same c\ntry & on ! same  
/reet1 two or ?ree great national ideals
 might n ?rive & develop1 t m5 ( diff]5t
 races might n /rive toge!r = _! race   
ideals z well1 p]haps ev5 bett]1 ?an 9  
isolation4 ,"h1 x seems to me1 is !     
read+ ( ! riddle t puzzles s _m ( u4 ,we
 are ,am]icans1 n only by bir? & by     
citiz5%ip1 b by our political ideals1   
our language1 our religion4 ,f>!r ?an t1
 our ,am]icanism does n g4 ,at t po9t1  

we are ,negroes1 memb]s ( a va/ hi/oric 
race t f ! v dawn ( creation has slept1 
b half awak5+ 9 ! d>k =e/s ( its        
,african fa!rl&4 ,we are ! fir/ fruits (
 ?is new nation1 ! h>b+] ( t black      
to-morr[ :i* is yet de/9$ to s(t5 !     
:it5ess ( ! ,teutonic to-day4 ,we are t 
p ^: subtle s5se ( song has giv5 ,am]ica
 its only ,am]ican music1 its only      
,am]ican fairy tales1 its only t\* (    
pa?os & humor amid its mad money-gett+  
plutocracy4 ,z su*1 x is our duty to    
cons]ve our physical p[]s1 our          
intellectual end[m5ts1 our spiritual    
ideals2 z a race we mu/ /rive by race   
organization1 by race solid>ity1 by race
 unity to ! realization ( t broad]      
humanity :i* freely recognizes diff]5ces
 9 m51 b /]nly deprecates inequality 9  
_! opportunities ( developm5t4  ,= !    
accompli%m5t ( ^! ends we ne$ race      
organizations3 ,negro colleges1 ,negro  
newspap]s1 ,negro bus9ess organizations1
 a ,negro s*ool ( lit]ature & art1 & an 
intellectual cle>+ h\se1 = all ^!       

products ( ! ,negro m9d1 :i* we may call
 a ,negro ,academy4 ,n only is all ?is  
necess>y = positive advance1 x is       
absolutely imp]ative = negative def5se4 
,let u n deceive ourselves at our       
situation 9 ?is c\ntry4 ,weight$ ) a    
h]itage ( moral iniquity f our pa/      
hi/ory1 h>d press$ 9 ! economic _w by   
=eign immigrants & native prejudice1    
hat$ "h1 despis$ !re & piti$ ev]y:]e2   
our "o hav5 ( refuge is ourselves1 & b  
"o means ( advance1 our own belief 9 our
 great de/9y1 our own implicit tru/ 9   
our ability & wor?4 ,!re is no p[] "u   
,god's high heav5 t c /op ! advance (   
eight ?\s& ?\s& hone/1 e>ne/1 inspir$ & 
unit$ p4 ,b--& "h is ! rub--!y mu/ be   
hone/1 fe>lessly criticis+ _! own       
faults1 zeal\sly correct+ !m2 !y mu/ be 
e>ne/4 ,no p t laughs at itself1 &      
ridicules itself1 & wi%es to ,god x 0   
any?+ b itself ev] wrote its "n 9       
hi/ory2 x mu/ be inspir$ ) ! ,div9e fai?
 ( our black mo!rs1 t out ( ! blood &   
du/ ( battle w m>* a victori\s ho/1 a   

mighty nation1 a peculi> p1 to speak to 
! nations ( e>? a ,div9e tru? t %all    
make !m free4 ,& su* a p mu/ be unit$2 n
 m]ely unit$ = ! organiz$ !ft (         
political spoils1 n unit$ to disgrace   
religion ) :oremong]s & w>d-heel]s2 n   
unit$ m]ely to prote/ & pass            
resolutions1 b unit$ to /op ! ravages ( 
consumption among ! ,negro p1 unit$ to  
keep black boys f loaf+1 gambl+ & crime2
 unit$ to gu>d ! purity ( black wom5 &  
to r$uce t va/ army ( black pro/itutes t
 is today m>*+ to hell2 & unit$ 9 s]i\s 
organizations1 to det]m9e by c>eful     
conf]5ce & ?\ghtful int]*ange ( op9ion !
 broad l9es ( policy & action = !       
,am]ican ,negro4  ,?is is ! reason = be+
 :i* ! ,am]ican ,negro ,academy has4 ,x 
aims at once to be ! epitome &          
expression ( ! intellect ( !            
black-blood$ p ( ,am]ica1 ! expon5t ( ! 
race ideals ( "o ( ! _w's great races4  
,z su*1 ! ,academy mu/1 if successful1  
be    7a74 ,repres5tative 9 "*4    7b74 
,imp>tial 9 conduct4    7c74 ,firm 9    

lead]%ip4  ,x mu/ be repres5tative 9 "*2
 n 9 t x repres5ts all int]e/s or all   
factions1 b 9 t x seeks to comprise     
some?+ ( ! be/ ?\ght1 ! mo/ unselfi%    
/riv+ & ! highe/ ideals4 ,!re are       
scatt]$ 9 =gott5 nooks & corn]s ?r\gh\t 
! l&1 ,negroes ( "s consid]able tra9+1 (
 high m9ds1 & high motives1 :o are      
unkn[n to _! fell[s1 :o ex]t f> too     
little influ5ce4 ,^! ! ,negro ,academy  
%\ld /rive to br+ into t\* ) ea* o!r &  
to give !m a common m\?piece4  ,!       
,academy %\ld be imp>tial 9 conduct2    
:ile x aims to exalt ! p x %\ld aim to d
 s by tru?--n by lies1 by hone/y--n by  
flatt]y4 ,x %\ld cont9ually impress !   
fact ^u ! ,negro p t !y mu/ n expect to 
h ?+s done = !m--!y ,,mu/ ,,d ,,=       
,,!mselves2 t !y h on _! h&s a va/ "w ( 
self-re=mation to d1 & t a little less  
compla9t & :9+1 & a little m dogg$ "w & 
manly /riv+ w\ld d u m cr$it & b5efit   
?an a ?\s& ,=ce or ,civil ,rights bills4
  ,f9ally1 ! ,am]ican ,negro ,academy   
mu/ po9t out a practical pa? ( advance  

to ! ,negro p2 !re lie be=e e ,negro    
today hundr$s ( que/ions ( policy & "r  
:i* mu/ be settl$ & :i* ea* "o settles  
n[1 n 9 accordance ) any rule1 b by     
impulse or individual pref]5ce2 =       
in/ance3 ,:at %\ld be ! attitude (      
,negroes t[>d ! educational             
qualification = vot]s8 ,:at %\ld be our 
attitude t[>d sep>ate s*ools8 ,h[ %\ld  
we meet discrim9ations on railways & 9  
hotels8 ,su* que/ions ne$ n s mu*       
specific answ]s = ea* "p z a g5]al      
expression ( policy1 & nobody %\ld be   
bett] fitt$ to ann\nce su* a policy ?an 
a repres5tative hone/ ,negro ,academy4  
,all ?is1 h[ev]1 mu/ come 9 "t aft]     
c>eful organization & long conf]5ce4 ,! 
imm$iate "w be=e u %\ld be practical & h
 direct be>+ ^u ! situation ( ! ,negro4 
,! hi/orical "w ( collect+ ! laws ( !   
,unit$ ,/ates & ( ! v>i\s ,/ates ( !    
,union ) reg>d to ! ,negro is a "w ( su*
 magnitude & importance t no body b "o l
 ?is c\ld ?9k ( und]tak+ x4 ,if we c\ld 
accompli% t "o task we w\ld ju/ify our  

exi/5ce4  ,9 ! field ( ,sociology an    
appall+ "w lies be=e u4 ,fir/1 we mu/   
unfl9*+ly & bravely face ! tru?1 n )    
apologies1 b ) solemn e>ne/ness4 ,!     
,negro ,academy ought to s\nd a note (  
w>n+ t w\ld e*o 9 e black cab9 9 ! l&3  
,unless we conqu] our pres5t vices !y w 
conqu] u2 we are diseas$1 we are        
develop+ crim9al t5d5cies1 & an al>m+ly 
l>ge p]c5tage ( our m5 & wom5 are       
sexually impure4 ,! ,negro ,academy %\ld
 /& & proclaim ?is ov] ! h\setops1 cry+ 
) ,g>rison3 ,i w n equivocate1 ,i w n   
retreat a s+le in*1 & ,i w be he>d4 ,!  
,academy %\ld seek to ga!r ab\t x !     
tal5t$1 unselfi% m51 ! pure & noble-m9d$
 wom51 to fight an army ( devils t      
disgraces our manhood & our womanhood4  
,!re does n /& today ^u ,god's e>? a    
race m capable 9 muscle1 9 intellect1 9 
morals1 ?an ! ,am]ican ,negro1 if he w  
b5d 8 en]gies 9 ! "r direction2 if he w 
,bur/ 8 bir?'s invidi\s b>   ,& grasp ! 
skirts ( happy *ance1   ,& brea/ ! bl[s 
( circum/ance1       ,& grapple ) 8 evil

 />4  ,9 sci5ce & morals1 ,i h indicat$ 
two fields ( "w = ! ,academy4 ,f9ally1 9
 practical policy1 ,i wi% to sugge/ !   
foll[+ ,academy ,cre$3  #a4 ,we believe 
t ! ,negro p1 z a race1 h a contribution
 to make to civilization & humanity1 :i*
 no o!r race c make4  #b4 ,we believe x 
! duty ( ! ,am]icans ( ,negro desc5t1 z 
a body1 to ma9ta9 _! race id5tity until 
?is mission ( ! ,negro p is accompli%$1 
& ! ideal ( human bro!rhood has become a
 practical possibility4  #c4 ,we believe
 t1 unless mod]n civilization is a      
failure1 x is entirely feasible &       
practicable = two races 9 su* ess5tial  
political1 economic & religi\s h>mony z 
! :ite & color$ p ( ,am]ica1 to develop 
side by side 9 peace & mutual happ9ess1 
! peculi> contribution :i* ea* has to   
make to ! culture ( _! common c\ntry4   
#d4 ,z a means to ?is end we advocate1 n
 su* social equality betwe5 ^! races z  
w\ld disreg>d human likes & dislikes1 b 
su* a social equilibrium z w\ld1 ?r\gh\t
 all ! complicat$ relations ( life1 give

 due & j consid]ation to culture1       
ability1 & moral wor?1 :e!r !y be f\nd  
"u :ite or black sk9s4  #e4 ,we believe 
t ! fir/ & greate/ /ep t[>d ! settlem5t 
( ! pres5t friction betwe5 !            
races--commonly call$ ! ,negro          
,problem--lies 9 ! correction ( !       
immorality1 crime & laz9ess among !     
,negroes !mselves1 :i* /ill rema9s z a  
h]itage f slav]y4 ,we believe t only    
e>ne/ & long cont9u$ ef=ts on our own "p
 c cure ^! social ills4  #f4 ,we believe
 t ! second great /ep t[>d a bett]      
adju/m5t ( ! relations betwe5 ! races1  
%\ld be a m imp>tial selection ( ability
 9 ! economic & intellectual _w1 & a    
great] respect = p]sonal lib]ty & wor?1 
reg>dless ( race4 ,we believe t only    
e>ne/ ef=ts on ! "p ( ! :ite p ( ?is    
c\ntry w br+ mu* ne$$ re=m 9 ^! matt]s4 
#g4 ,on ! basis ( ! =ego+ decl>ation1 & 
firmly believ+ 9 our high de/9y1 we1 z  
,am]ican ,negroes1 are resolv$ to /rive 
9 e honorable way = ! realization ( !   
be/ & highe/ aims1 = ! developm5t (     

/rong manhood & pure womanhood1 & = !   
re>+ ( a race ideal 9 ,am]ica & ,africa1
 to ! glory ( ,god & ! uplift+ ( !      
,negro p4            ,w4 ,e4 ,,burgh>dt 
,,du ,,bois4     ,transcrib]'s ,notes3  
,passages 9 italics are indicat$ by     
und]score4  ,! foll[+ mispr9ts h be5    
correct$3   m5ta correct$ to m5tal 7page
 #h7   o2ganization correct$ to         
organization 7page #ad7  ,o!r ?an !     
corrections li/$ above1 pr9t]'s spell+ &
 hyph5ation usage h be5 reta9$4