1. The term square deal is used to refer to one being treated equally and having access to the same resources and opportunities as others in the same environment. Dubois use of the term was in a slightly sarcastic and skeptical tone implying that in the context of the situation at hand, a "square deal" would not occur based on the politics and perspective at the time.
2. Linked to the statement above, Dubois did not believe even slightly in the idea that the separation of races would create a "square deal" for the people of African descent. He cites physical and political reasons for his disbelief in such an arrangement; namely that even where the black population was separated from the white population, there would be a gross difference in the quality of life between the two. He mentions that that there would be <u>Subordination</u> and he believes as such because the white population would have the best of the resources and the black population would thus be dependent on them.
3. This period encapsulated the Segregation Era and true to the words of Dubois, the African American population faced grave injustices. There were separate restrooms, drinking fountains and communities for the black population which were far below the standard of those allotted to the white community. African Americans also were to travel at the back of buses and were to give up their seat to any white passenger when asked to do so. Schools were overcrowded and underfunded in black communities with a reduced school day so the students were not as adept academically as their white counterparts.
4. It was the sentiment at that time that the races were best separated. The illusion was that the races would thrive best under this separation-this is the "square deal" which was referred to initially. This was a shallow outlook however, as separating the idea of separating the races did not take into the consideration the disparity in the ownership of resources.
