W.E.B. Du Bois: “Work and wage were thrilling realities to us all.”

This waste of double aims, this seeking to satisfy two unreconciled ideals, has wrought sad havoc with the courage and faith and deeds of ten thousand thousand people,—has sent them often wooing false gods and invoking false means of…

The direct result of this system is an all-cotton scheme of agriculture and the continued bankruptcy of the tenant.

Fully ninety-four per cent have struggled for land and failed, and half of them sit in hopeless serfdom.

Through history, the powers of single black men flash here and there like falling stars, and die sometimes before the world has rightly gauged their brightness.