Question

Think about what you’ve learned about Homer Plessy. Which of Washington’s statements would Plessy most likely agree with? “I am . . . just as happy now when I am rendering service to Southern white men as when the service is rendered to a member of my own race.” “[It is] important that the whole Nation lend a hand in trying to lift the burden of ignorance from the South.” “Let [African Americans] once understand that you are unselfishly interested in them, and you can lead them to any extent.”

Answer 1

“[It is] important that the whole Nation lend a hand in trying to lift the burden of ignorance from the South.” is the correct option.

Answer 2

Best pick would be: "[It is] important that the whole Nation lend a hand in trying to lift the burden of ignorance from the South."

Homer Plessy is the man behind the famous Supreme Court case, "Plessy v. Ferguson." The state of Louisiana had passed a law in 1890, segregating blacks from whites on public transportation. In 1892, Plessy, who was 1/8 black, bought a first class train railroad ticket, took a seat in the whites only section, and then informed the conductor that he was part black. He was removed from the train and jailed. He argued for his civil rights before Judge John Howard Ferguson and was found guilty. His case went all the way to the Supreme Court which at that time upheld the idea of "separate but equal" facilities.

Plessy was very much an activist for civil rights, trying to bring public attention to matters of racial injustice.