Post Reconstruction Era: Booker T. Washington
Despite the calls for a New South in the years after the Reconstruction era, Jim Crow segregation was still present in every aspect of American society, fueling tensions between African Americans and whites. This is because following the events after the Civil War, the ratifications of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments after the 1863 Emancipation, established a new and unwelcomed reality for many whites which therefore fueled much of their violence and discrimination towards African Americans. From the decision made in the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court case, advocating a separate but equal doctrine, to the ratification of additional voting requirements to limit African Americans from voting, …show more content…
In the African American community, the hard work and labor of an individual will not only allow them to exceed and gain but also bring forward the African American community along with them in this advancement and success. By coming together and excelling in particular areas, African Americans will eventually be able to master and exceed beyond a point where they will no longer be indispensable to that field of work. In his book, Washington states, “...the individual who can do something that the world wants done will, in the end, make his way regardless of his race. One man may go into a community prepared to supply the people there with an analysis of Greek sentences. The community may not at that time be prepared for or feel the need of, Greek analysis, but it may feel its need of bricks and houses and wagons.” Through this statement, Washington communicates the importance making oneself useful as a method for approaching an unaccepting and unkind society. In addition, Washington brings forth the idea that unlike traditional education where outdated subjects such as “Greek” and its analysis are taught, his alternative educative method through work and labor, industrial education, was more relevant and actually contributed to society, “...need of bricks and houses and wagons.” With this ideology, Washington “skilled” African American workers can produce products used and needed by white people, therefore creating a connection between African Americans and whites in which they are able to communicate and do business together, making the African American community an effective part of the white dominated society. In addition, through Washington’s method of racial advancement and uplift showed that education in and application of practical skills can not only provide an
Despite the calls for a New South in the years after the Reconstruction era, Jim Crow segregation was still present in every aspect of American society, fueling tensions between African Americans and whites. This is because following the events after the Civil War, the ratifications of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments after the 1863 Emancipation, established a new and unwelcomed reality for many whites which therefore fueled much of their violence and discrimination towards African Americans. From the decision made in the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court case, advocating a separate but equal doctrine, to the ratification of additional voting requirements to limit African Americans from voting, …show more content…
In the African American community, the hard work and labor of an individual will not only allow them to exceed and gain but also bring forward the African American community along with them in this advancement and success. By coming together and excelling in particular areas, African Americans will eventually be able to master and exceed beyond a point where they will no longer be indispensable to that field of work. In his book, Washington states, “...the individual who can do something that the world wants done will, in the end, make his way regardless of his race. One man may go into a community prepared to supply the people there with an analysis of Greek sentences. The community may not at that time be prepared for or feel the need of, Greek analysis, but it may feel its need of bricks and houses and wagons.” Through this statement, Washington communicates the importance making oneself useful as a method for approaching an unaccepting and unkind society. In addition, Washington brings forth the idea that unlike traditional education where outdated subjects such as “Greek” and its analysis are taught, his alternative educative method through work and labor, industrial education, was more relevant and actually contributed to society, “...need of bricks and houses and wagons.” With this ideology, Washington “skilled” African American workers can produce products used and needed by white people, therefore creating a connection between African Americans and whites in which they are able to communicate and do business together, making the African American community an effective part of the white dominated society. In addition, through Washington’s method of racial advancement and uplift showed that education in and application of practical skills can not only provide an