The Future of the American Negro
'The Future of the American Negro ' Summary
In the beginning of the book, the author mentions the term "industrial education". Washington describes this term as meaning, learning the necessities to become a valuable member of society as well and being able to apply this knowledge to industrial business. He believes that even though slavery is illegal, the freed African-Americans are still enslaved to the white people. Those who are freed cannot be members of society because they are not given the same opportunities.
As the book continues, Booker T. Washington writes that in order to understand the stress he applies to industrial education, the reader must "review the condition of affairs at the present time in the Southern States." He provides the information that the North and South are linked even though they were once at war. If the North cannot provide education then the South will not provide it.
Washington also states that the African-Americans are not superior, but that they are definitely not inferior to the white people. Slaves have had a hard time throughout their life in the United States. Their strength, knowledge, and perseverance has been tested by the white people that have run their lives for the longest time. Booker T. Washington asks, why should African-Americans have to prove themselves over and over when they have been proving themselves since they entered the country? The author also reminds them that, "An individual cannot succeed unless that individual has a great amount of faith himself."
African-Americans can have all the faith they want, but Washington argues that knowledge is needed to become useful members of society. Blacks have worked hard but will have to understand what they are working for.
Throughout the book, Washington refers to Tuskegee, a university founded by himself and others. It was a historically black university in Tuskegee, Alabama. In The Future of an American Negro, Booker writes that the university is, "placing men and women of intelligence, religion, modesty, conscience, and skill in every community in the South." Washington believes that Tuskegee University is providing the South with valuable members of society. In "Chapter V", there is a reference to a study showing that some 3,000 graduates or students are doing "commendable" work in the Southern community.
Near the end of the book, Washington describes the difference for freed slaves in the North and South. He reminds the reader that North has fewer employment option for black people which perpetuates the stress on the morals of an African-American. The South, however, having more opportunities for work and less stress on trying to do the right thing. He goes on to end the book with five principles that will aid African-Americans in their fight to have truly equal rights and opportunities. He states that these principle will be essential by saying, "So long as the Negro is permitted to get education, acquire property, and secure employment, and is treated with respect in the business or commercials world, … I shall have the greatest faith in his working out his own destiny in the Southern States."
Book Details
Author
Booker T. Washington
United States
Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and adviser to several presidents of the United States. Between 1890 and 1915, Washington was the dominant leader in the African...
More on Booker T. WashingtonDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
The Story of Manhattan by Charles Hemstreet
The history of New York City is told as a story, in few words. It begins with Henry Hudson's discovery of Manhattan in 1609. And it finishes in 1898 w...
The Historical Evolution of the Ukrainian Problem by Mykhailo Hrushevsky
It provides a detailed account of the evolution of the Ukrainian nation from ancient times to the early 20th century. Hrushevsky's work is widely con...
The American Claimant by Mark Twain
The American Claimant is a comedy of mistaken identities and multiple role switches. Its cast of characters include an American enamored of British he...
A Boys' Life of Booker T. Washington by Walter Clinton Jackson
"The single aim in telling the story that follows is to interest boys in the life of Booker T. Washington. "This man's life was of such singular and v...
National Gambling Impact Study Commission Final Report by National Gambling Impact Study Commission
The National Gambling Impact Study Commission was given the task of conducting a comprehensive legal and factual study on the social and economic impl...
Hero Tales from History by Smith Burnham
This volume celebrates stories of great heroes from the pages of history from Moses and David through Clara Barton and Henry Longfellow. It is divided...
English Secularism by George J. Holyoake
It explores the history and development of secularism in England, focusing on the political and social factors that led to the rise of secularism as a...
The Bible, American Standard Version (ASV) - Genesis by American Standard Version
The Book of is the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. Its Hebrew name is the same as its first word, Bereshit ("In the be...
The Mystery of the Pinckney Draught by Charles C. Nott
Charles Pinckney, member of the South Carolina legislature, Confederation Congress, U.S. Congress, and notably the Constitutional Convention of 1787,...
The Last Secrets by John Buchan
The author, John Buchan, maintains that "the main lines of the earth's architecture have been determined" during the first two decades of the twentiet...
Reviews for The Future of the American Negro
No reviews posted or approved, yet...