Washington
I do not believe that any state should make a law that
permits an ignorant and poverty-stricken white man to
vote, and prevents a black man in the same condition
from voting. Such a law is not only unjust, but it will
react, as all unjust laws do, in time; for the effect of
such a law is to encourage the Negro to secure
education and property, and at the same time it
encourages the white man to remain in ignorance and
poverty.
What is the author's main claim?
A. Voting laws that are not enacted equally are unfair.
B. Unfair laws encourage people to seek higher
education.
C. States should prohibit people from voting if they live
in poverty or are uneducated.
D. States should not make laws allowing White men to
vote while preventing Black men from voting.
1 answer
The author's main claim is:
D. States should not make laws allowing White men to vote while preventing Black men from voting.
This choice accurately captures the essence of Washington's argument regarding the injustice of voting laws that discriminate based on race.
