While others were talking, or debating over second-hand doctrines learned by rote, this strong son of nature had found himself and solved his own problem.
Booker T. Washington
The Public Record
Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, and orator. Between 1890 and 1915, Washington was the primary leader in the African-American community and of the contemporary Black elite.
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And so, one day about a dozen years ago, he made up his mind that henceforth he would be himself--that he would stand upon his own foundation.
We must begin our growth where our civilization finds us, and not try to begin on some other civilization.
We must stand upon our own feet, and not upon a foundation supplied by another.
But to do this we must take advantage of the forces at hand.
If we would save the race, and lift it up, here is the great opportunity around which, in a large measure, individual, organized, religious and secular effort should centre for the next fifty years.
And until the bed-rock of our life is found, and until we are planted thereon, all else is but plaster, but make-believe, but the paper on the walls of a house without framework.
One of the highest ambitions of every man leaving Tuskegee Institute should be to help the people of his race find bottom--find bed rock--and then help them to stand upon that foundation.
Before an individual or a race thus equipped, race prejudice, senseless customs, oppressions, will hide their faces forever in blushing shame.
But sham, buffoonery, mere imitation, mere superficiality, never has brought success and never will bring it.
The world, regardless of race, or colour, or condition, admires and approves a real thing.
I'm gwine to sit at de welcome table I'm gwine to feast off milk an' honey.