One might take up the life of the worst element in New York City, for example, and prove almost anything he wanted to prove concerning the white man, but all will agree that this is not a fair test.
Washington uses an analogy of judging an entire group by its worst elements to argue against unfair generalizations about any race.
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More from Booker T. Washington
Despite this disappointment, however, I determined that I would learn something, anyway.
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.
Even the most ignorant members of my race on the remote plantations felt in their hearts, with a certainty that admitted of no doubt, that the freedom of the slaves would be the one great result of the war, if the Northern armies conquered.
I think that the presentation of facts, on a high, dignified plane, is all the begging that most rich people care for.