It is an inspiring sight when one stands on the platform there and sees before him eleven or twelve hundred earnest young men and women; and one cannot but feel that it is a privilege to help to guide them to a higher and more useful life.
Washington reflects on the inspiring experience of addressing the large student body at Tuskegee and the responsibility of their guidance.
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More from Booker T. Washington
When freedom came, the slaves were almost as well fitted to begin life anew as the master, except in the matter of book-learning and ownership of property.
In this connection I have never been able to understand how the slaves throughout the South, completely ignorant as were the masses so far as books or newspapers were concerned, were able to keep themselves so accurately and completely…
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.
The Negro boy has obstacles, discouragements, and temptations to battle with that are little known to those not situated as he is.