Final answer:
Woodrow Wilson's presidency is marked by an endorsement of segregation and racist policies against African Americans, deviating from the progressive stance on the needs of middle-class whites. Option c) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Woodrow Wilson's presidency marked a period of regressive policies on racial equality, especially affecting African Americans. Wilson endorsed segregation and allowed racist policies to permeate his administration. Unlike the efforts during the Kennedy administration, which were influenced by Cold War concerns and a need to project a positive image internationally to gain allies, Wilson's record shows a lack of commitment to civil rights and an inclination towards maintaining and promoting segregation.
Wilson's tenure in office followed Roosevelt and Taft, and, like them, his focus was not on civil rights for African Americans. The progressive movement at the time centered largely on the needs of middle-class whites. This lack of focus on racial equality was consistent with Wilson's domestic policies, which did not advance the interests of African Americans. Furthermore, actions such as the segregation of federal offices demonstrate his administration's active engagement in discriminatory practices.
Therefore, Wilson's record on race, particularly towards American Blacks, can be characterized by an endorsement of segregation and racist policies, rather than an advocacy for civil rights and racial equality. These actions stand in stark contrast to later presidential actions where civil rights became a more central issue of governance and national policy.