Booker T. Washington

Go in a manly way, in a straightforward and honourable way, and then you will show the white people that you are not of a belittling race, that the prejudice which so many people possess cannot come among you and those with whom you work.

When I say this I do not mean that you shall go lowering your manhood or your dignity.

Then, too, I want you to go out in a spirit of liberality toward the white people with whom you come in contact.

Be willing to begin with a small salary and work your way up gradually.

Throughout the South we can give ourselves in a free, open way to getting hold of property and building homes, in a way that we cannot do in any other industry.

I speak of farming particularly, because I believe that to be the great foundation upon which we must build for the future.

There will be some of you who can spend your life to better advantage by devoting it to farming than to any other industry.

You will find that the longer you stay there the more the people will give you their confidence, and the more they will respect and love you.

Plant yourself in the community, and by economical living, year by year, manage to buy land for yourself, on which to build a nice and comfortable home.

There are two things you must fix your mind on: the building of a suitable school-house and the arousing in the people, at the same time, a spirit that will make them support your efforts.

You must go with a determination that you are going to succeed in whatever undertaking you have entered upon.

Go out with a spirit that will not allow you to become discouraged when you have opposition, when you meet with obstacles to be overcome.