Booker T. Washington: “It is disgraceful for a man to go about with ragged clothes or with clothes fastened together with pins where buttons…”

When they saw that I was not afraid or ashamed to work, they began to assist with more enthusiasm.

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 do not know how many have noticed it, but I think that it will be found to be true that there are few instances, either in slavery or freedom, in which a member of my race has been known to betray a specific trust.

I cannot remember having slept in a bed until after our family was declared free by the Emancipation Proclamation.