Washington's Better Part Speech

Booker T. Washington's speech at the Chicago Peace Jubilee in 1898 remains true to Washington's style of appeasing the white oppressors rather than demanding the basic civil rights that were absent from African Americans until the 1960's. In his speak, Washington of Blacks making wise choices by in many cases choosing the best of who worst options. He states:
"When in the childhood of this nation the negro was asked to submit to slavery or choose death and extinction as did the aborigines, he choose the better part, that which perpetuated the race."
Washington also states that Black Americans have long been at the side of its (in my opinion) evil step-father, and being victorious in ever endeavors such helping defeat the British and the Spanish but America had yet to conquer the issue of "racial prejudice". Washington continues to say that "the black race shall not leave you unaided" but he never really demands for the racial equality that was lacking during his time and that to me is problematic.