W. E.B. DuBois starts his chapter opposing Booker T. Washington with this sentence: In failing thus to state plainly and unequivocally the legitimate demands of their people, even at the cost of opposing an honored leader, the thinking classes of American Negroes would shirk a heavy responsibility, -- a responsibility to themselves, a responsibility to the struggling masses, a responsibility to the darker races of men whose future depends so largely on this American experiment, but especially a responsibility to this nation, -- this common Fatherland.

If DuBois considers himself part of the “thinking classes of American Negroes,” what does this sentence give him permission to do?

(I need a short sentence!)