A crucial idea that Booker T. Washington establishes in his autobiography, Up from Slavery, is that individual merit and hard work can allow others of african descent to achieve success, despite the barrier of social and political discrimination.
As proven by history, many African Americans struggled overcoming the expectations coerced on them. To clarify, this novel took place after the Civil War, meaning few African Americans had the same opportunities as other races. Throughout the novel, Washington acknowledges the fact that “success is to be measured...by the obstacles which he has overcome trying to succeed” considering he spent most of his childhood facing these challenges for a better future (37). This suggests that Washington did not fail, rather he rose above and proved himself worthy while earning the accomplishments for which he’s known for today. Jacqueline Jones, a history professor at Brandeis University, wrote about the same challenges Washington mentioned in her article “Black Workers Remember”. She discusses the cruelty many blacks faced as in how businesses would not employ them because of their race; however, the many that did obtain a job faced harassment and non-acceptance from their coworkers. This article exhibits the severe racism and different beliefs people expressed towards blacks; thus, they did not give them the chance of proving themselves through their hard work. A key point in Washington's novel is his belief in proving oneself through vigorous ambitions such as when Washington worked as a janitor in order to pay for his education. Moreover, Thomas Maloney, a professor at the University of Utah, also wrote on the discrimination many blacks endured during this time. His article describes how different the lives of black and white people was by stating the fact that people considered less of blacks due to their lack of education. Washington's novel and Maloney’s article depicts the truth in which African Americans generally were disregarded in their ability to obtain a respectable status. Frederick Douglass, George Washington Carver, Marcus Garvey, and W.E.B DuBois all held a respectable status through hard work. To sum it up, Washington dreamed of a society where any race achieves success through diligent work. In addition, Washington's autobiography depicts the change and opportunities given to African Americans. Growing up, Washington worked, whether it be in the salt mines or as a janitor, in order to have a better future. His skills gained as a child helped prove himself later in life by demonstrating his indispensability in jobs such as becoming an educator and an advisor. The fact that the novel takes place during a time when African Americans were segregated and deemed inferior shows that Washington's achievements …show more content…
Throughout the novel, Washington never directly states the racism and oppression he endures for the sole purpose of not appearing like a victim. Instead, he used the racism and hatred he received and fueled it to overcome barriers society placed in front of him. One of his greatest accomplishment was speaking at the Atlanta Exposition where he addresses the inequality among the races and the changes that should be implemented. Audrey Smedley's article “Racism” explains the effects of racism and how it made anyone of color feel inferior. She establishes the idea that because African american were faced with these labels, they had to change people's perception of
As proven by history, many African Americans struggled overcoming the expectations coerced on them. To clarify, this novel took place after the Civil War, meaning few African Americans had the same opportunities as other races. Throughout the novel, Washington acknowledges the fact that “success is to be measured...by the obstacles which he has overcome trying to succeed” considering he spent most of his childhood facing these challenges for a better future (37). This suggests that Washington did not fail, rather he rose above and proved himself worthy while earning the accomplishments for which he’s known for today. Jacqueline Jones, a history professor at Brandeis University, wrote about the same challenges Washington mentioned in her article “Black Workers Remember”. She discusses the cruelty many blacks faced as in how businesses would not employ them because of their race; however, the many that did obtain a job faced harassment and non-acceptance from their coworkers. This article exhibits the severe racism and different beliefs people expressed towards blacks; thus, they did not give them the chance of proving themselves through their hard work. A key point in Washington's novel is his belief in proving oneself through vigorous ambitions such as when Washington worked as a janitor in order to pay for his education. Moreover, Thomas Maloney, a professor at the University of Utah, also wrote on the discrimination many blacks endured during this time. His article describes how different the lives of black and white people was by stating the fact that people considered less of blacks due to their lack of education. Washington's novel and Maloney’s article depicts the truth in which African Americans generally were disregarded in their ability to obtain a respectable status. Frederick Douglass, George Washington Carver, Marcus Garvey, and W.E.B DuBois all held a respectable status through hard work. To sum it up, Washington dreamed of a society where any race achieves success through diligent work. In addition, Washington's autobiography depicts the change and opportunities given to African Americans. Growing up, Washington worked, whether it be in the salt mines or as a janitor, in order to have a better future. His skills gained as a child helped prove himself later in life by demonstrating his indispensability in jobs such as becoming an educator and an advisor. The fact that the novel takes place during a time when African Americans were segregated and deemed inferior shows that Washington's achievements …show more content…
Throughout the novel, Washington never directly states the racism and oppression he endures for the sole purpose of not appearing like a victim. Instead, he used the racism and hatred he received and fueled it to overcome barriers society placed in front of him. One of his greatest accomplishment was speaking at the Atlanta Exposition where he addresses the inequality among the races and the changes that should be implemented. Audrey Smedley's article “Racism” explains the effects of racism and how it made anyone of color feel inferior. She establishes the idea that because African american were faced with these labels, they had to change people's perception of