Booker T. Washington: “My case will illustrate that of hundreds of thousands of black people in every part of our country.”

When they saw that I was not afraid or ashamed to work, they began to assist with more enthusiasm.

From the time that I can remember anything, almost every day of my life had been occupied in some kind of labour; though I think I would now be a more useful man if I had had time for sports.

I think I never saw a community of people so happy over anything as were the coloured people over the prospect of this new building.

I have long since ceased to cherish any spirit of bitterness against the Southern white people on account of the enslavement of my race.