Booker T. Washington: “Some had the feeling that in proportion as the Negro received education, in the same proportion would his value decrease…”

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.

Even to this day I can recall accurately the tortures that I underwent when putting on one of these garments.

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

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.