What Booker T. Washington thinks about America
American educator, author and orator (1856 to 1915); the primary leader of the African-American community from 1890 to 1915; author of Up from Slavery.
Booker T. Washington did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
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6 dated positions, c. 1899, in their own words. Our reading of what Booker T. Washington has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Our readingIndustrial education is needed to give Black Americans a foundation of civilisation to grow on
Their wordsThis constitutes a part of the reason why I insist that it is necessary to emphasise the matter of industrial education as a means of giving the black man the foundation of a civilisation upon which he will grow and prosper.
↗The Future of the American Negro (1899)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Their wordsAs to my own position, I do not favour the Negro's giving up anything which is fundamental and which has been guaranteed to him by the Constitution of the United States. It is not best for him to relinquish any of his rights; nor would his doing so be best for the Southern white man.
↗The Future of the American Negro (1899)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Their wordsI am free to say that I see no way out of the Negro's present condition in the South by returning to Africa.
↗The Future of the American Negro (1899)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Their wordsThe adjustment of the relations of the two races must take place here; and it is taking place slowly, but surely. As the Negro is educated to make homes and to respect himself, the white man will in turn respect him.
↗The Future of the American Negro (1899)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Our readingBlack Americans will stand differently once wealth is commonly associated with a black skin
Their wordsThe Negro will be on a different footing in this country when it becomes common to associate the possession of wealth with a black skin.
↗The Future of the American Negro (1899)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book
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Our readingMost effort should go into making Black Americans among the most skilled farmers in the world
Their wordsPlainly, then, the best thing, the logical thing, is to turn the larger part of our strength in a direction that will make the Negro among the most skilled agricultural people in the world.
↗The Future of the American Negro (1899)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book