Gustavo Quintero
English 48B
February 8, 2008
Journal #20 Booker T. Washington


Quote:
"...so in the future, in our humble way, we shall stand by you with a devotion that no foreigner can approach, ready to lay down our lives, if need be, in defence of yours"(Washington 681).


Summary:
This quote is from a speech that Washington gave at the Atlanta exposition, as a representative of the Negro race.


Response:
I have to give a lot of respect to a man that was so humble. I say this because of the above quote. Washington, as a representative of the black race, says that they they are willing to die for their masters. This I do not doubt. I really believe that almost all slaves would unconditionally do anything for their masters. You almost have to take a step back and see just how devoted and how strong the African Americans were. The cruelty they faced and the terrible laws they faced and they still remain so loyal. This speaks volumes for the character of the under appreciated and held down slave. It goes to show just how great out society would have been if the problem of slavery never existed. You have to reach out your hand and give these people a lot of sympathy for what their race has had to endure. These are very powerful words that Washington is speaking at the Atlanta exposition. I think that by saying how devoted the African Americans are, he is actually helping his race by showing their humbleness. Washington reminds me of Martin Luther King Jr. They both used compassion and humbleness to spread their words and ideals. This later worked by just taking a look at what King Jr. was able to accomplish in the civil rights struggle. From looking back at what Washington and Du Bois wrote I can say that I have earned a greater deal of respect and knowledge of these two men. At first I did not agree with Washington's philosophy but I can now say that I respect what he did and his humbleness.