Hi, I am reading a story called, "I'm Black, You're White, Who's Innocent" I just have a question on what "account" means in this question? I looked up the definition but came up with many. Could someone explain to me this question in a different way? And also the question "Are there other possible explanations of their appeal?" What does that mean? Thank you.
According to Steele, what strategies have African Americans employed to handle “white society’s presumption of racial innocence” (para. 19)? How does he account for public reactions to figures like Bill Cosby and Jesse Jackson in terms of these strategies?
Are there other possible explanations of their appeal?
The term "account for" is an idiomatic expression in English:
http://www.answers.com/topic/account-for
In this case, you need definition 2.
My rephrasing:
According to Steele, what have African Americans done to deal with (or cope with) "white society's presumption of racial innocence"? How does he explain public reactions to famous people like Bill Cosby and Jesse Jackson?
Are there other possible reasons for public interest in famous people like these men?