Question

read the excerpt from the souls of black folk by w. e. b. du bois. notwithstanding this, it is equally true to assert that on the whole the distinct impression left by mr. washingtons propaganda is, first, that the south is justified in its present attitude toward the negro because of the negros degradation; secondly, that the prime cause of the negros failure to rise more quickly is his wrong education in the past; and, thirdly, that his future rise depends primarily on his own efforts. each of these propositions is a dangerous half - truth. what is the authors main claim? the southern states are correct in how they treat black voters. washington makes serious mistakes in his argument. peoples future prosperity depends on how hard they work. black people have been unable to advance because they lack education.

Explanation:

The excerpt from The Souls of Black Folk states that the propositions from Mr. Washington's propaganda (about the South's attitude, Negro's failure cause, and future rise) are "dangerous half - truths". This means the author (Du Bois) is claiming that Washington makes serious mistakes in his argument. The other options don't match: the first option is against Du Bois's likely stance (he wouldn't agree the South is correct), the third and fourth options are parts of Washington's arguments which Du Bois deems half - truths, not his main claim.

Answer:

B. Washington makes serious mistakes in his argument.