Why did many blacks feel that Booker T Washington favored second class citizenship?

Answer 1

Booker T. Washington tended to advocate a more passive role for Blacks in the southern states. Despite the hardships they faced during the times following slaver, he stated that African Americans should focus their efforts on education and the advancement of their own labor techniques rather than political or social action to better their position in America. While many whites (most notably Teddy Roosevelt who took on Washington as an adviser) found his ideas acceptable, most blacks did not.

There is some dispute, however, as to whether or not Booker T. really believed in his preachings. There have been some reports of political intrigue through the use of hired attorneys that may have helped shape some critical laws in the southern states that were intended to better the position of black laborers.