Final answer:
African Americans have predominantly advanced equality through civil rights movements, legal challenges, and activism, with the NAACP's formation in 1909 being a crucial point. The 1960s saw significant progress through grassroots activism, landmark cases such as Brown vs. Board of Education, and federal legislation driven by the tireless work of activists.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Have African Americans Worked Towards Achieving Equality?
African Americans have worked toward achieving equality in American society predominantly B) Through civil rights movements, legal challenges, and activism to combat racial discrimination. This holistic approach has been marked by key historical figures and landmark events. Leaders such as Booker T. Washington initially advocated for self-improvement in the face of segregation, while W. E. B. Du Bois and others like him pushed for direct confrontation of racial injustices. The formation of the NAACP in 1909 became a crucial rallying point for African Americans to secure their rights.
During the 20th century, particularly in the 1960s, grassroots activism led the way to significant progress. The civil rights movement, epitomized by influential figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., used peaceful protests, legal challenges, and civil disobedience to break down the barriers of segregation. Landmark legal cases, like Brown vs. Board of Education, which overturned the 'separate but equal' doctrine, reflected the successes born from these courageous campaigns.
Racial integration efforts were also pivotal, encouraging the acceptance of African Americans in neighborhoods, schools, and the workforce, while seeking to remove barriers and promote diversity. Despite government efforts, it was largely the tireless work of grassroots activists that spurred federal legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, leading to substantial strides toward equality.