Booker T. Washington: “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…”

The whole machinery of slavery was so constructed as to cause labour, as a rule, to be looked upon as a badge of degradation, of inferiority.

I think that the presentation of facts, on a high, dignified plane, is all the begging that most rich people care for.

I can scarcely imagine any torture, except, perhaps, the pulling of a tooth, that is equal to that caused by putting on a new flax shirt for the first time.

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.