Final answer:
Booker T. Washington was the most 'acceptable' African American in the early 20th century United States due to his advocacy for fair treatment and focus on education and job training, while accepting segregation as a tactical strategy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual who was deemed the most "acceptable" African American in the United States during the early 20th century was Booker T. Washington. Washington was a prominent African American educator, the founder and president of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and was recognized for his efforts in fundraising for Black educational institutions. While Washington was often criticized for accommodating segregation as part of his strategy to focus on basic education and job training skills for African Americans, he also played a subtle role in supporting early civil rights initiatives through secret funding. His stand for economic cooperation and educational advancement, albeit within the boundaries of segregation, earned him respect and made him acceptable to both Black and white Americans in that era. Furthermore, Washington's 1895 Atlanta Compromise speech positioned him as a leader advocating for fair treatment and better opportunities for Black workers while accepting segregation.