How Did The Rhetorical Strategies Employed By W.E.B. Du Bois In His 1903 Essay Of The Training Of Black Men Influence The Subsequent Development Of African American Educational Policy, Particularly In The Context Of The 1916 Report Of The Committee Of Twelve For The Advancement Of The Interests Of The Negro, And What Were The Unintended Consequences Of This Policy On The Broader Struggle For Racial Equality In The United States?

W.E.B. Du Bois's 1903 essay "Of the Training of Black Men" played a significant role in shaping African American educational policy, particularly influencing the 1916 report by the Committee of Twelve. Du Bois argued for higher education and classical training, countering Booker T. Washington's focus on vocational training. His rhetorical strategies, including ethical and logical appeals, positioned education as a moral imperative for equality and leadership.

The Committee of Twelve, influenced by Du Bois, recommended higher education and leadership development, aiming to produce educated leaders. However, this approach had unintended consequences. It created a divide between the educated elite and the broader community, potentially neglecting the needs of those without access to such education. This elitism may have limited opportunities and reinforced social stratification.

Additionally, the focus on individual advancement might have diverted attention from collective efforts for racial equality, such as labor rights and voter registration. The policy's reliance on white philanthropy could have promoted an education acceptable to white society but less empowering for African Americans, inadvertently supporting the status quo.

Economically, the emphasis on leadership over immediate needs may have left many vulnerable, affecting their societal participation. While Du Bois's influence advanced higher education, it may have overshadowed vocational training, leading to neglect of economic empowerment.

In summary, Du Bois's essay influenced a shift towards higher education, contributing to a divide within the African American community and potentially slowing broader racial equality efforts by neglecting economic and grassroots needs.