Booker T. Washington Inspirational Network

Atlanta Exposition Speech Analysis Pt. 2

2007-01-23T17:59:00.000-08:00

I would encourage all to read Part 1 of the speech below for continuity's sake.

Dr. Washington's Atlanta speech continued as follows.

--------------------------------

A ship lost at sea for many days suddenly sighted a friendly vessel. From the mast of the unfortunate vessel was seen a signal,“Water, water; we die of thirst!” The answer from the friendly vessel at once came back, “Cast down your bucket where you are.” A second time the signal, “Water, water; send us water!” ran up from the distressed vessel, and was answered, “Cast down your bucket where you are.” And a third and fourth signal for water was answered, “Cast down your bucket where you are.” The captain of the distressed vessel, at last heeding the injunction, cast down his bucket, and it came up full of fresh, sparkling water from the mouth of the Amazon River. To those of my race who depend on bettering their condition in a foreign land or who underestimate the importance of cultivating friendly relations with the Southern white man, who is their next-door neighbor, I would say: “Cast down your bucket where you are”— cast it down in making friends in every manly way of the people of all races by whom we are surrounded.

Dr. Washington uses a true story, here, as an analogy of a truth he understood regarding how one may miss the life saving nourishment or answer when it is right in front of them. At this time he saw the beginnings of the migration to the north by many ex-slaves in what would be a decades long migration. He was not referring to black Americans wanting to return to Africa, or seeking a better life in another country, he was referring to the North as being a foreigh land, and the South as being our home that offered the relief sought. Many of those who had suffered in the South, first in a state of slavery, and now again after the end of reconstruction and the introduction of Jim Crow laws, had had enough. They saw the promise of fresh water and a better life, in the industrial North. Dr. Washington believed and sought to convince others of his vision for the South and what it offered. He believed that the abundance of land and need for the industrial and agricultural products of the South offered the promise of prosperity and true power to the ex-slaves. He also saw early warining signs of the dangers that lay ahead in the ghettos of the North.

Cast it down in agriculture, mechanics, in commerce, in domestic service, and in the professions. And in this connection it is well to bear in mind that whatever other sins the South may be called to bear, when it comes to business, pure and simple, it is in the South that the Negro is given a man’s chance in the commercial world, and in nothing is this Exposition more eloquent than in emphasizing this chance. Our greatest danger is that in the great leap from slavery to freedom we may overlook the fact that the masses of us are to live by the productions of our hands, and fail to keep in mind that we shall prosper in proportion as we learn to dignify and glorify common labour, and put brains and skill into the common occupations of life; shall prosper in proportion as we learn to draw the line between the superficial and the substantial, the ornamental gewgaws of life and the useful. 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. Nor should we permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities.

This is may be the most powerful passage of the entire speech, yet greatly overlooked and/or misunderstood. Dr. Washington is stating basic economics 101, and putting in simple terms the philosophy and truth of Adam Smith as put forth in his immortal work, which formed the foundation for our nations capitalistic economy "The Wealth of Nations." Booker T. Washington is not saying that black americans should relegate themselves to doing menial work, or chhose to remain a lower class, but that basic foundational work for a wage is the building block for future advancement of a people. Smith put forth the principle that wealth is built by exchanging the value of our work for capital and the building of that capital with the creation of estates would lead to true freedom and prosperity for those who achive it.

I find it interesting that Dr. Washington was prophetic in stating that "no race can prosper till it learns that there is a s much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem." That could be simply restated as, " till we learn that there is as much dignity and honor in working a 9-5 as there is in writing a hip hop tune." We must learn what is truly important, and what leads to true wealth, not just riches. Riches can be lost or stolen, true wealth continues form generation to generation. A foundation must be established. A foundation of earning, saving, investing and empowering. This begins at the bottom, not at the top. As long as we seek to enter at the top we will not learn how to get and remain there. A strong and successful race or nation is one that learns how to build foundation upon foundation understanding that it is what we leave for our posterity that really matters and that our posterity understands what their responsibiliies are to what they receive. May we learn understand and teach those principles.

The Atlanta Expo Speech 1895

2006-04-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

Following is the first section of the most famous, and in some quarters the most infamous speech ever made by Booker T. Washington. It was originally known as the Atlanta Exposition Speech given at the the 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta, GA, but has since become better known as the Atlanta Compromise Speech by Dr. Washington's detractors. Those who would criticize, however, fail to recognize the heart and soul of Dr. Washington and his message. In the weeks and months ahead we want to share a fresh analysis of this speech and others, from our own and other people's perspective.

As I mentioned, this is but the first portion of the speech, and we hope to add and analyze one section per week. We hope that a fresh look at this speech and it's content, will cause many to reconsider the true message contained therin, for the time and environment in which it was given, as well as how it relates to the state of Black America today and our future direction. We also hope that your comments will add to the discourse in a meaningful way. ---------------------------------------

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Board of Directors and Citizens:

One-third of the population of the South is of the Negro race. No enterprise seeking the material, civil, or moral welfare of this section can disregard this element of our population and reach the highest success. I but convey to you, Mr. President and Directors, the sentiment of the masses of my race when I say that in no way have the value and manhood of the American Negro been more fittingly and generously recognized than by the managers of this magnificent Exposition at every stage of its progress. It is a recognition that will do more to cement the friendship of the two races than any occurrence since the dawn of our freedom. Not only this, but the opportunity here afforded will awaken among us a new era of industrial progress.

Ignorant and inexperienced, it is not strange that in the first years of our new life we began at the top instead of at the bottom; that a seat in Congress or the state legislature was more sought than real estate or industrial skill; that the political convention or stump speaking had more attractions than starting a dairy farm or truck garden.

In the beginning of the speech Dr. Washington wanted to express express that as blacks compromised one third of the population of the South, that region could not afford to ignore the black race, if it wanted to prosper. He also wanted to show due respect to the Govornor of Georga who wa sin attendance, and Board of Directors of the Expo, who had put on the exposition. One reason Dr. Washington felt that respect and honor were due was that the board had gone to great lengths to recognize and include the efforts and accomplishments of ex-slaves in all aspects of the exposition. At this time, almost 10 years after reconstruction had ended, a sincere effort had been made to rebuid the devastated American South by both the black and the white race. This Exposition was meant to showcase and honor that common effort. Black Southerners were included from the beginning in the planning, and construction of the Expo all the way through to their inclusion in the expositions and their attendance at the magnificent event. This event was was seen by all as a hopeful time and as a rebirth of the South. It was an exciting time for black and white people alike and was a period full of hope.

What followed next in the speech, however, was a taking stock of reality and a forewarning to our people. When Booker T. Washington said that we were "ignorant and inexperienced," he was not meaning this in a derogatory way. He was speaking of the reality that in the mere 30 years since the end of slavery we were still learning, or needed to be learning, how to live as free people and how to value what is really important vs. what looks important.

Sadly, while ignorance and inexperience were a valid excuse in 1885, in the 111 years since this speech we still seem to have failed to learn the lessons Dr. Washington was speaking of. We still appear to respect and value a congressional seat over an understanding of real estate or property ownership and acquiring an industrial skill. To the overvaluing of a congressional seat, we can today add entertainer and athlete. We still have too many of those who believe it is of more value to make speeches or have large conventions and gatherings than starting and building a successful career and business.

While politics, entertainment, sports, conventions and gatherings each have their value, these are not foundational to the sure success of a people. These, if sought prematurely and without the proper foundation will not provide for lasting success, and may infact cause failure to achieve the lasting success of a society.

We must understand one thing in order to keep all of Booker T. Washington's writings and ideas in proper perspective. He loved the pure value of work. He worked tirelessly himself and taught that a job well done was reward enough in itself. But he also understood and taught that:

The man who has learned to do something better than anyone else, has learned to do a common thing in an uncommon manner, is the man who has a power and influence that no adverse circumstances can take from him.

I believe that we are still at the starting point, but that leaves me full of hope. It is never too late to learn a good lesson, if we learn it correctly. Neither the South, nor the nation at large, can ignore the Black race and hope to prosper. But we desparately need those in our Black communitites, who hear and understand what Booker T. Washington knew and tried to impart, to unite in will and in action in order to take what was offered to us then and still awaits us today. Can we learn the lesson of finding work and finding it gratifying? Can we learn to value establishing and estate of value, whether it is in real estate, owning stock, or owning a business. These ideas will take a reconditiong process for many. It may not be easy, but it is crucial. If we succeed it will usher in a new era in our nation. One in which the Black community can take the lead.

Time To Remember

2006-04-05T19:27:00.000-07:00

April 5th is the recognized birth date of Booker T. Washington. April 5th, 2006 marks the 150th anniversary of that birth. It is on this auspicious occasion that we wish to announce the Booker T. Washington Inspirational Network (BTWIN) founded by Gloria Jackson JD, great grand-daughter of Booker T. Washington.

The goal of the Booker T. Washington Inspirational Network is to form an alliance of thinkers, writers, speakers, ministers, artists, entertainers and others committed to the vision and ideals of Booker T. Washington.

We believe that the life and legacy of Booker T. Washington have been too long overlooked and even misrepresented, to the detriment of our great nation. Entire generations know little or nothing of his accomplishments, his vision or his message. Others think they know but, unfortunately, have been presented a distorted image and often perpetuate that distorted image. We believe it is time to change that.

This blog will print articles, and messages by and about Booker T. Washington, and allow discussion of these. We hope that the discussion will be positive and uplifting.

Happy Birthday Booker Taliaferro Washington may the people you lived and gave your life for learn and understand the power in your message:

I will allow no man to drag me down so low as to make me hate him. No race can hate another without itself being narrowed and hated. Character, not circumstances, makes the man.

You may fill your heads with knowledge or skillfully train your hands, but unless it is based upon high, upright character, upon a true heart, it will amount to nothing. You will be no better than the most ignorant.

The man who has learned to do something better than anyone else, has learned to do a common thing in an uncommon manner, is the man who has a power and influence that no adverse circumstances can take from him.

Please take time to visit the BTWIN Website at: booker-t-washington.com