Booker T. Washington was born a slave in 1856, in Virginia–actually about 45 miles from my home. After reading just a few pages of his book, Up from Slavery, I concluded that we, in the 21st century, have just no clue about the institution of American slavery, or the thoughts of either the slaves, nor their masters. I recommend that you read it. Washington points out that the slaves definitely wanted their freedom, and that he pitied anyone who “is so unfortunate as to get entangled in the net of slavery.” Listen to what he says about the potential for bitter feelings toward the white race:
“When we rid ourselves of prejudice, or racial feeling, and look the facts in the face, we must acknowledge that (not withstanding the cruelty and moral wrong of slavery) the ten million Negroes inhabiting this country… 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.”
Booker T. Washington, from Up from Slavery, Dover Publications, 1995, p. 8
Booker T. Washington national Monument
That is surprising–that a former slave would have that sentiment. Maybe this was because of tender age, but he claims that the same feelings were widespread.
However, as a white American, I cannot help but feel the sting of hearing that no whites–even Christians– offered to teach any of their black neighbors to read after the Emancipation. Washington explains in great detail the longing for education among former slaves of all ages.
“The great ambition of the older people was to try to learn to read the Bible before they died.”
Booker T. Washington, from Up from Slavery, Dover Publications, 1995, p. 15
And another insight seems very appropriate for our time:
“The world should not pass judgment upon the Negro, and especially the Negro youth, too quickly or too harshly. The Negro boy has obstacles, discouragements, and temptations to battle with that are little known to those not situated as he is. When a white boy undertakes a task, it is taken for granted that he will succeed. On the other hand, people are surprised if the Negro boy does not fail.”
Booker T. Washington, from Up from Slavery, Dover Publications, 1995, p. 17
And consider this:
“I have no idea, as I have stated elsewhere, who my grandmother was. I have, or have had uncles and aunts and cousins, but I have no knowledge as to where most of them are. My case will illustrate that of hundreds of thousands of black people in every part of our country. The very fact that the white boy is conscious that, if he fails in life, he will disgrace the whole family record…is of tremendous value in helping him to resist temptations.”
Booker T. Washington, from Up from Slavery, Dover Publications, 1995, p. 18
And lastly:
“In later years, I confess that I do not envy the white boy as I once did. I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. Looked at from this standpoint, I almost reach the conclusion that often the Negro’s birth and connection with an unpopular race is an advantage, so far as real life is concerned. With few exceptions, the Negro youth must work harder and must perform his tasks even better than a white youth in order to secure recognition. But out of the hard and unusual struggle through which he is compelled to pass, he gets a strength, a confidence, that one misses whose pathway is comparatively smooth by reason of birth and race.”
Booker T. Washington, from Up from Slavery, Dover Publications, 1995, p. 19
In our next blog, we plan to take a look at Frederick Douglass, and see if we can gather some insights from his experience as a slave growing up in America.
