When I say that they constitute the greatest obstacle to the freedom and advancement of the Negro, I mean, of course, the greatest obstacle outside of the Negro himself.
Archibald Henry Grimké: “When I say that they constitute the greatest obstacle to the freedom and advancement of the Negro, I mean, of course…”
Editor's note · Context
Grimké acknowledges that while external forces are obstacles, internal challenges within the African American community also hinder progress.
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