Booker T. Washington: “I had always regarded Europe, and London, and Paris, much as I regarded heaven.”

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.

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.

No one section of our country was wholly responsible for its introduction, and, besides, it was recognized and protected for years by the General Government.

Even to this day I can recall accurately the tortures that I underwent when putting on one of these garments.