I saw young coloured men who were not earning more than four dollars a week spend two dollars or more for a buggy on Sunday to ride up and down Pennsylvania Avenue in, in order that they might try to convince the world that they were worth thousands.
Observing the economic habits of young Black men in Washington D.C., Washington critiques their tendency to prioritize outward show over financial prudence.
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More from Booker T. Washington
This tenderness and sympathy on the part of those held in bondage was a result of their kindly and generous nature.
Despite this disappointment, however, I determined that I would learn something, anyway.
I have never seen one who did not want to be free, or one who would return to slavery.