Reading Response On Up From Slavery By Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington’s “Up from Slavery,” did not alter my belief system or change what I thought about postbellum times for slaves and former slaves since I’ve learned a lot about that time frame through history classes, but this story did have some everlasting impressions on me that are almost inspirational. The thesis of this essay is focused on how Booker T. Washington’s story inspired me because despite his social status he was able to overcome much adversity to get to where he desired to be even though he was very poor, and at first uneducated. I knew some about Booker’s accomplishments and that he was a symbolic figure, but I did not know about his childhood and what great feats he overcame to get to be a symbolic person in history.

The thesis is that “Up from Slavery” has given me the impression that some of the things I feel that I am not equipped to accomplish, I can accomplish, because Booker was able to accomplish great things with what little he had to start with. The thesis is supported by Bookers story’s ranging from Booker walking many miles to get schooling to Booker founding the Tuskegee Institution in which he was able to offer an education to many African American’s who otherwise would not have had the opportunity. Booker T. wrote “Up from Slavery,” as an autobiography that is themed around his life, education, the dignity of work, and the relationship between the two races. He did not know for sure of his real birth date all he knows is that he was born in a log cabin around 1856.

Later in life Booker was pressed by people to run for office, but he would turn down the suggestion because he wanted to devote his life to education. This devotion of his is seen throughout “Up from Slavery,” and is carried out through his lifetime. I liked this more and more as I read through it because it seemed that at any time he would be deterred by money problems, his race, or lack of education. It seemed these factors would prevent him from going further in his journey (even though I know that he had to have made it through considering he went on to become a symbolic figure). I enjoyed reading about the people who came into his life that helped him and I enjoyed seeing him overcome adversity and continue working towards his dreams. In conclusion Booker T. wasn’t just inspirational for what he overcame. He was also an inspiration for how much he gave to other people despite what little he had through life. To be able to go from being born a slave on a dirt floor in a log cabin to giving one of the most important and influential speeches in American history at the Atlanta Compromise is remarkable. Booker is known for his famous quote “Cast down your bucket where you are” (Washington 690).

This speech is important because this is where Booker announced what he believed to be part of the answer for former slaves to advance to a higher social class. Booker was calling for slaves to develop a positive relationship with whites because he believed that this friendship would help them to progress even further. Booker also emphasized the value of education along with the value in hard work and he implemented these values in his speech. I’ve learned that if Booker T. can start with nothing and make it to where he did in life then I can do the same with what I already have to begin with.