Booker T. Washington: “Try to get into a frame of mind where you will be constantly seeing and calling attention to the strong and beautiful…”

Ever since I have been old enough to think for myself, I have entertained the idea that, notwithstanding the cruel wrongs inflicted upon us, the black man got nearly as much out of slavery as the white man did.

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

I have always looked upon fame as something to be used in accomplishing good.

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.