Why was du bois startled went he went to fisk university?

Du Bois was startled when he went to Fisk University to find" Ï can hardly realize they are all my people, that this great assembly of youth and intelligence and representatives of a race which twenty years ago was in bondage."

Du Bois was pleasantly was pleasantly surprised that his negro race was doing so well in society and progressing & getting prosperous and they were at influential places in society.

But Du Bois did not forget his past, closing the letter by saying ""ÿet i have not forgotten my New England hills.'''