: According to Booker T. Washington, why is it important for African Americans to learn a trade or industrial skill rather than pursuing political rights?

Booker T. Washington believed that if African Americans would learn trading and other industrial skills first, they'd proved themselves worthy and valuable compared to the white people. Thus, natural rights will follow.

Explanation:

Booker T. Washington was an African American who was born as a slave in Virginia. He loved studying at a young age and even enrolled in Hampton Institute upon reaching high school. Later on, he became the head of Tuskegee Institute. He taught the African Americans to focus on educating themselves first before demanding on equal rights. He believed that it was the best way in order for the society to learn the African Americans' value. Eventually, this situation (for him) will ultimately lead to granting equal civil and political rights to the black people.