Booker T. Washington

On the other hand, people are usually surprised if the Negro boy does not fail.

In a word, the Negro youth starts out with the presumption against him.

These discussions showed that they understood the situation, and that they kept themselves informed of events by what was termed the “grape-vine” telegraph.

Despite this disappointment, however, I determined that I would learn something, anyway.

From any point of view, I had rather be what I am, a member of the Negro race, than be able to claim membership with the most favoured of any other race.

But taking place at the time it did, and for the reason that it did, no one could ever make me believe that my mother was guilty of thieving.

I have great faith in the power and influence of facts.

Until that question was asked it had never occurred to me that there was no period of my life that was devoted to play.

I never saw a man who so completely lost sight of himself.

The picture of several dozen boys and girls in a schoolroom engaged in study made a deep impression upon me, and I had the feeling that to get into a schoolhouse and study in this way would be about the same as getting into paradise.

Before the end of the year, I think I began learning that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.

In those days, and later as a young man, I used to try to picture in my imagination the feelings and ambitions of a white boy with absolutely no limit placed upon his aspirations and activities.