Booker T. Washington was born on this day, April 5, in 1856.
He was born into slavery, but learned to read and write while working at manual labor jobs. At age 16 he went to Hampton University in Virginia, and at age 25 he was named as the first leader of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, famous for having the well-known scientist George Washington Carver on its faculty.
Now called Tuskegee University, Washington's vision for the school championed vocational training as a means for black self-reliance. The school gave black youth valuable skills; Washington's theory was, that by providing these skills, African Americans would play their part in society and this would lead to acceptance by white Americans. He believed that African Americans would eventually gain full Civil Rights by showing themselves to be responsible, reliable American citizens. According to its website, Tuskegee University believes in "personal qualities of honesty, self-reliance, hard work, and risk-taking."
In 1895 Washington Delivered a Speech at the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia, where he noted that "It is at the bottom of life we must begin, and not at the top. Nor should we permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities." This is true for
every human being.
Washington was granted an honorary Masters of Arts degree from Harvard University in 1896 and an honorary Doctorate degree from Dartmouth College in 1901. When his autobiography, Up From Slavery, was published in 1901, it became a bestseller. He was also the first African-American ever invited to the White House as the guest of a President – which led to a scandal for the inviting President, Theodore Roosevelt.
- "Think about it: We went into slavery pagans; we came out Christians. We went into slavery pieces of property; we came out American citizens. We went into slavery with chains clanking about our wrists; we came out with the American ballot in our hands....
- "Notwithstanding the cruelty and moral wrong of slavery, we are in a stronger and more hopeful condition, materially, intellectually, morally, and religiously, than is true of an equal number of black people in any other portion of the globe."
– from Up From Slavery
Compared to the days in which Booker T. Washington lived, there is no longer any racism in America. Most Americans would not "discriminate" against a black with the character traits of Booker T. Washington, but business owners would understandably hesitate to hire blacks who identify themselves as violent "gangstas" -- as well as whites who have adopted the same characteristics.
According to the mantra of today's liberal left, it is the racism of white people - and not the personal choices of blacks - that is responsible for the high rate of illegitimacy, drug abuse, HIV infections and criminal acts that distinguish blacks from other racial and ethnic groups. (Carol M. Swain)
"I have never had much patience with the multitudes of people who are always ready to explain why one cannot succeed. I have always had high regard for the man who could tell me how to succeed."
“Political activity alone cannot make a man free. Back of the ballot, he must have property, industry, skill, economy, intelligence, and character.”
For Further Reading:
- Booker T. Washington: Apostle of Freedom The Foundation for Economic Education
- Liberation through Commerce - Mises Institute
- Booker T. Washington - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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