Booker T. Washington's Up From Slavery

Slavery impacted the lives of African Americans. After the civil war ended, slavery abolished throughout the south for the better of the nation. As a result of this emancipation, many African Americans sought job opportunities and higher education for their own benefit; however, the opportunity to advance in society was not easily gained due to segregation and racism in the south. Because more people dreamed of becoming successful, Booker T. Washington set goals, and accomplish them with the help of his friends and sponsors. A crucial idea that Booker T. Washington established 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.
Booker T. Washington once said, “Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.” The quote itself reflects on how Washington chooses to live his life. He grew up during the aftermath of the Civil War when many African-Americans faced harsh oppression. The fact that Washington endured the racism and oppression towards his culture shows a motivation in writing his autobiography, which exhibits the many accomplishments he earned throughout his life. Throughout time, people remember Booker T. Washington …show more content…
If it was not for his hard work and dedication, then many African American in the United States may lack the proper education he fought for. If it was not for his individual merit, then Washington would never influence as many lives as he has now. Despite the challenges he faced, Booker T. Washington proved to be successful no matter how difficult his decision was; hence, people recognize him as one of the greatest black educators in American history. Overall, Booker T. Washington's autobiography demonstrates the success one can accomplish through hard work and determination considering everything he accomplished through this