Booker T. Washington: “Now this practice is not only ridiculous, but it is very hurtful to us as a race, and it should be discouraged.”

Having once got its tentacles fastened on to the economic and social life of the Republic, it was no easy matter for the country to relieve itself of the institution.

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.

In order to defend and protect the women and children who were left on the plantations when the white males went to war, the slaves would have laid down their lives.

I pity from the bottom of my heart any nation or body of people that is so unfortunate as to get entangled in the net of slavery.