Help, I don't get this at all.?

Question

Ok, i feel really dumb. i am trying to do a report on Booker T. Washington and we are supposed to use the internet and books for our information. I was reading on http://northbysouth.kenyon.edu/1998/edu/home/btw.htm and i got to a paragraph i don't get at all could somone help me out? Here it is "Booker T. Washington stands out in American History as a school book black hero. Some have even gone as far as to label Booker T. Washington a token ***** in the company of white heroes. This is because of his acceptance of segregation, his outward humility, and his opposition to black militancy, even more than because of his constructive achievements as an educator and race leader. His critics argue that his methods were too compromising and unheroic to be placed in the forefront as the spokesperson for black progress."

Answer 1

Well, it basically means that when an example of a black leader or scientist is wanted, many people say "Booker T. Washington." But if you look more closely at his politics, he isn't the best role model - he was too humble, too compromising, not heroic enough.

Personally, I think it is unfair to expect a scientist to be everything for everyone. Many scientists exhibit more introverted personalities - that's why they are drawn to science, a solitary pursuit, in the first place - vs. being a charismatic leader.

However, it is a thought-provoking paragraph, meant for the reader to think about what a "leader" means as a whole.