Scholar and activist W. E.B. Du Bois was born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. In 1895, he became the first
African American to earn a Ph. D. from Harvard University. Du Bois
wrote extensively and was the best known spokesperson for
African-American rights during the first half of the 20th century. He
co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People in 1909. Du Bois died in Ghana in 1963.
Du Bois' quote comes from a 1906 speech in which he states that there
needs to be equal education for African American children. Over 100
years later, are we closer to America destroying ignorance or
ignorance destroying the United States? Use specific evidence to
support your response.