Finally, ethical context matters. W.E.B. Du Bois’s critique in The Souls of Black Folk (1903) reminds us that quiet industry alone cannot rectify structural barriers. Washington’s maxim works best when paired with fair opportunity and judicious advocacy: prepare quietly, yes, but also claim credit transparently, document impact, and align with communities that amplify merit. In that balanced stance, steady work retains its dignity while rightful recognition is neither left to chance nor ceded to noise. [...]
