Booker T. Washington: “Throughout the South we can give ourselves in a free, open way to getting hold of property and building homes, in a way…”

I have never seen one who did not want to be free, or one who would return to slavery.

Ever since I have been old enough to think for myself, I have entertained the idea that, notwithstanding the cruel wrongs inflicted upon us, the black man got nearly as much out of slavery as the white man did.

Before the end of the year, I think I began learning that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.

The hurtful influences of the institution were not by any means confined to the Negro.