“There is another class of coloured people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs — partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs.”
“I am afraid that there is a certain class of race-problem solvers who don’t want the patient to get well, because as long as the disease holds out they have not only an easy means of making a living, but also an easy medium through which to make themselves prominent before the public.
Both of these quotes come from a great American hero (my opinion but shared by many). When someone like me (white) echoes this sentiment today… we are attacked as racist. If the messenger is black… the “Uncle Tom” label is applied. But I’ve often found giving voice to truth invites attack… it’s biblical after all…
Of course these quotes come from Booker T. Washington one of the generation of black leaders who were born slaves. He said this in 1911 (Chapter 5: The Intellectuals and the Boston Mob). Author of “Up from Slavery”, and founder of the Tuskegee Institute, Mr. Washington sought to raise up the black community though self-reliance, entrepreneurship, pride through accomplishment, education, economic advancement… (aka… conservative principles). To accomplish these goals he “mobilized a nationwide coalition of middle class blacks, church leaders, and white philanthropists and politicians”. (Wikipedia)
“Black militants in the North, led by W.E.B. DuBois,… set up the NAACP (in 1909) and tried to challenge Washington’s political machine for leadership in the black community. Decades after Washington’s death in 1915, the Civil Rights movement generally moved away from his policies to take the more militant NAACP approach.” (Wikipedia) …which is why the black community a century later finds itself with the same problems (only worse). They are still blindly following the poverty and race pimps beholden to the Democratic party.
A quote attributed to Booker T. Washington that was actually from George (our founding father and first President) says, “Associate yourself with people of good quality, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.” — George Washington (from a late 16th century French maxim)
Do you keep company with the likes of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Julian Bond, or Bobby Rush?
A century later there is nothing new under the sun…
Booker T was also a black separatist — he felt it was in blacks’ best interest not to mingle with whites, so of course racist whites loved him.
Do you consider a separatist to be racist?
This is false. In fact, during his lifetime he was scorned by many black leaders for being “too conciliatory” toward whites.
Of course, I’ve actually read his books “Up From Slavery” and “My Larger Education,” while you read something once on the Internet.
So what do I know?
Booker T Washington was a “black separatist” only in the sense that he wanted blacks to be self-reliant and knew that with their own institutions (schools and communities) they could achieve that easier than following the poverty and race hustlers.
What Washington envisioned is not the same as today’s definition which does reek of racism and nationalism. The use of this term to describe Washington generally has the purpose to either 1) Slander Washington or 2) Legitimize the radical and racist more modern “black separatist”.
That’s a rose-tinted assessment. He wanted blacks to be trained to work in factories (not educated) and to not have equal rights for a generation or two, so as to not upset Whitey.
Booker T. was speaking of those people overcoming the bounds of systemic racism and racists, who would aid in keeping black people from lifting themselves “up from slavery” which was not an easy thing to do. He also said, “How many times I wished then and have often wished since, that by some power of magic, I might remove the great bulk of these people into the country districts and plant them upon the soil – upon the solid and never deceptive foundation of Mother Nature, where all nations and races that have ever succeeded have gotten their start.” So, Rick, many folks today use these quotes without understanding what they mean, as evidenced by your own belief that he did not want equal rights or education for blacks. Booker T did not want blacks to be working in factories for people who did not encourage the process of uplifting themselves, but building a life where their successes did not depend on others. And he DEFINITELY wanted them to become educated. “We all should rise, above the clouds of ignorance, narrowness, and selfishness.” I get so frustrated by racists today, (especially today, 2016, as Donald Trump becoming the GOP nominee is legitimizing racial invective), who use these quotes without understanding the context in which they were spoken.
I’ve often wondered what Booker T. or Frederick Douglas would say about those black people who are living today in their own kind of slavery, about those who were brought up in depressed areas, which do not provide excellent education, and little opportunity to escape the bounds of the cities and the systemic racism of today, or of white people who deny that “white privilege”, or systemic racism exists, (or even what those things are). And I think, texaslynn, that you are guilty of this denial.
Surprised this blog post is still open.
>Rick, many folks today use these quotes without understanding what they mean, as evidenced by your own belief that he did not want equal rights or education for blacks.
It’s also true that many folks bungie jump in on blog comments and assume that someone’s brief statement encompasses his complete thoughts, which then become a straw man for whatever they want to say.
I did not say, nor do I believe, that BTW didn’t want equal rights for blacks.
BTW wanted to implement those rights a little bit at a time, starting with separation from whites and a focus on “common labor,” to not upset the white establishment. Is that practical? Of course. Is it right? No. You’re either equal or you’re not. If you wait till those in power get used to the idea that you’re equal, while acting like you’re not (by remaining in segregated neighborhoods, with fewer rights, doing menial work), you’re not going to push toward equality and freedom. You’re going to establish a permanent second class in the minds of the establishment.
BTW’s famous speech in 1895, to a white audience in Atlanta, where he recommended blacks both remain separate from, and have different rights than, white Americans, is was what inspired W.E.B. Du Bois to found the NAACP. It wasn’t a throwaway comment, it was at the heart of his philosophy. And I disagree with it, as did Du Bois.
I don’t think BTW was a bad guy. I don’t claim to know the Black experience in America. I simply disagree with his philosophy of separation and menial labor as a good place to start pushing toward equality.
First I would like to thank Sandy for the comment that I thought was informed, well-reasoned and articulated. AND I commend her for her bravery to challenge two rather strongly opinionated bloggers.
OK, I’m going to pile on Rick a little bit (but hopefully not in a mean-spirited way)… I can see how Sandy reached the conclusions she did.
Rick said “He wanted blacks to be trained to work in factories (not educated)”. That’s pretty straight forward. And Sandy did provide evidence to the contrary that indeed, Washington would have preferred that blacks not work in the factories. As for the education, I assume that the founding of the Tuskegee Institute gives Washington some points towards educating the black community. No, it wasn’t a college in the traditional sense, but it was an institution to train and better the black community. We actually need schools like it today (for all races) to compete against the colleges and many of the worthless degrees they produce. We need to do away with the idea that everybody needs a college degree and move towards vocational training for many.
As for as his quote concerning placing blacks on the farm, I believe Washington did not mean this as their proper place, but as a place where they could be insulated from the corrupting influences of urban life (the factory); so as to grow their culture.
Rick seems to see this as a demeaning attitude of keeping blacks separated and in menial labor. While I’m sure Washington saw a need for black communities, I question if he really intended for those communities to have few if any dealings with white communities or if he intended the labor to be menial, so much as honest and profitable to those who did it. There is nothing wrong with “menial labor”; I have done plenty of it (especially in my younger years) and am now grateful for the experience. It shaped and prepared me for work even as a professional.
Having grown up on a farm myself, I (rightly or wrongly) equate “the soil” (rural life) with the simpler life that is more likely to build good character… and the factory (urban life) as more likely to fail in that regard. It is a stereotype that we rural people hold against the cities just as the cities stereotype us as stupid and uneducated.
Secondly Sandy took exception with thinking Rick believed “that he (Washington) did not want equal rights or education for blacks”. Rick protested that is not what he said, but that Washington wanted to “implement those rights a little bit at a time” though earlier he had said “not have equal rights for a generation or two”. In Sandy’s defense there is a bit of a gulf between a little bit at a time and a generation or two. In Rick’s defense… I (and my writing style) are probably a bad influence in regards to using “exaggerated language” to make a point.
OK… Now as for as Sandy’s observations about me and my beliefs… well, they are totally off base and unfounded… 🙂 That was humor by the way.
I appreciate the criticism and inducement to examine my held beliefs. You may not produce fruit in that endeavor, but it is still appreciated.
>> I’ve often wondered what Booker T. or Frederick Douglas would say about those black people who are living today in their own kind of slavery, about those who were brought up in depressed areas, which do not provide excellent education, and little opportunity to escape the bounds of the cities
What they (or at least Washington) would say it that this is exactly what they feared and tried to prevent. It is a national and epic tragedy.
At the same time, the decline of the nation is not far behind. It is all human nature.
>> and the systemic racism of today, or of white people who deny that “white privilege”, or systemic racism exists, (or even what those things are). And I think, texaslynn, that you are guilty of this denial.
Yes. You are correct in that I do not believe in their existence (or at least as defined by the left). I deny both. Granted, this is based on my own personal experiences and research, but what else am I going to go by.
To date, nobody has presented me with any (intellectually honest or legitimate) evidence to the contrary. About the only thing I ever hear is that they do it exist and I’m a racist for not believing in them. Ahhh… Yeah… that’s going to convince me…
Systemic I interpret as relating to a common system, in this case within the country. It would mean racism as the rule rather than the exception. (Just to let you know if we’re even on the same page as for as defining what this means, existence aside.)
That kind of racism, systemic racism, does not exit. Pockets of racism exists. Individual racists exist. But neither are proof of systemic racism.
Here is why I believe this to be true…
I live (and grew up in) what could only be described as rural America (Texas). My friends, my family, my neighbors, the community… are not racists. The vast, vast majority of these people do in fact and practice judge people not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. That was even the rule of my experience as I was growing up in the 70s and 80s and is even more so today. If systemic racism existed (as the left claims), it would be here. It’s not.
I also worked for twenty years in corporate America (Houston). My coworkers, my bosses, everyone I worked with… were not racists. In fact, there was a stigma towards anyone who might even have been suspected of racist attitudes (as well there should be). If systemic racism existed (as the left claims), it would be there. It’s not.
So where is it? Where is this system I hear so much about when there is no evidence of it in the very places the left says it exists, and where I personally have first-hand knowledge that it doesn’t?
And then there is “white privilege”… which I assume is advantages/benefits that I (and all white people) have over nonwhites simply because of the color of my skin. It’s bull&^$% and (to be blunt) the assumption is racist.
Is there “Class privilege”? Sure, but not “white”; and even that is not systemic.
Yeah, yeah… supposedly “white privilege” exists without me even being aware of it. Again… I call bull&^$%! I have worked my a$$ off for what I have achieved and I received no advantages/benefits during those efforts above or beyond what ANYONE else doing what I did would have received (black, white, brown, or purple).
We supposedly see “white privilege” in comparing “white society” to the poor downtrodden blacks in the inner city. But I say no. This has nothing to do with race and everything to do with 1) education 2) class and 3) a degradation of society (common in all society but especially prominent in the inner city).
No… as a company I’m not going to hire someone who can’t put together a coherent sentence or has demonstrated a gravitation toward criminal behavior (black, white, brown, or purple). As an individual, I choose not to associate with or befriend dope-heads (pick your poison)(black, white, brown, or purple).
The list of characteristics over which I enjoy advantages/benefits go on from these two. BUT they all have at least one thing in common; they have nothing to do with race and everything to do with my education and how I purport myself.
If you want to blame anything for the collective “disadvantage” suffered by these poor souls, blame leftist policies (like the war on poverty to name one) that produce the poorly educated, produce poor social behaviors (like out of wedlock birth), and basically enslave those they purport to help; all in the name of votes and power.
Systemic racism? White privilege? My conscience is clear, thank you very much.
If someone would like to offer some actual evidence of the two; knock yourself out… but spare me the propaganda. I’ve already heard it… and rejected it out of hand.
Sandy, again… thank you for your comment and challenging of my beliefs. No, you didn’t dissuade me of my position, but I’m always open to questioning and defending those beliefs.
Other great quotes from Booker T. Washington:
“My experience is that people who call themselves “The Intellectuals” understand theories, but they do not understand things. I have long been convinced that, if these men could have gone into the South and taken up and become interested in some practical work which would have brought them in touch with people and things, the whole world would have looked very different to them. Bad as conditions might have seemed at first, when they saw that actual progress was being made, they would have taken a more hopeful view of the situation.”
“No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem. It is at the bottom of life we must begin, and not at the top.”
“Character, not circumstances, makes the man.”
“The world cares very little what you or I know, but it does care a great deal about what you or I do.”
“Of all forms of slavery there is none that is so harmful and degrading as that form of slavery which tempts one human being to hate another by reason of his race or color. One man cannot hold another man down in the ditch without remaining down in the ditch with him. ”
“I would permit no man, no matter what his colour might be, to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.”
“Few things can help an individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him.”
“There are two ways of exerting one’s strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up.”
He’s a good guy, but if I were black at the turn of the 20th century, I’d rather have DuBois as my cultural influence (first black to get a PhD at Harvard, agreed with BTW at first, but changed his mind on the whole ‘waiting for rights’ thing). 🙂
Yeah, DuBois, the guy who inspired Malcolm X.
That’s worked out SO WELL…for the very sorts of race-pimps that Washington was warning about in the quote.