In the United States after the Civil War, African American leaders face a number of daunting questions: How can a formerly enslaved people live in an emancipated world? Should the impetus be given to developing a strong sense of black identity before addressing economic concerns or developing a powerful set of skills to overcome the problems of racism?
Unfortunately, few ever think of combining these two ideas. The great African American leader W.E.B. Du Bois favors the first approach as this philosophy will create a positive sense of identity in the black community. This in turn will enable African Americans to overcome the continued effects of racism. Another productive way to empower the newly freed blacks is to develop an outstanding educational system that will teach them important skills.The society will need these newly acquired talents, which in turn will make African Americans more valued in the larger society.
These two approaches are long debated in the United States. Jabari Asim has written an excellent biography about Booker T. Washington, a proponent of the idea of educational empowerment. The name of this book is "Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington."
Born into slavery in 1856, young Booker can only dream of learning to read. Under punitive laws, blacks can be severely punished if they try to learn to read. He watches the daughter of his owner reading from her elementary reading primer. The young boy longs to understand the written word.
By the time he is 9, the Civil War ends and emancipation begins. His parents encourage his studies and give him an early reader and later, a copy of Noah Webster’s "The American Spelling Book." Fortunately, a school starts in the area and Booker is able to attend. Much to his surprise, the teacher is black. The more the young man learns, the more he thirsts for knowledge.
But times are hard and Booker is forced to work long hours in a coal mine to help his family survive, although the dream of education still dominates his mind. He hears that Hampton Institute, about 500 miles from his home, will educate African Americans. So with hope in his heart the 16-year-old begins walking the long hard road to the Institute. He arrives with 50 cents in his pocket.
What happens to Booker T. Washington? Does he fulfill his love for books and learning? What phenomenal accomplishments does he achieve? What powerful statue of him adorns the campus of Tuskegee Institute today? To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out this fine biography, "Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington."
Booker T. Washington has been vilified for his acceptance of segregation. Since he lived in a time when the KKK lynched blacks and burned crosses in front yards of those deemed enemies, the philosophy of integration might have seemed impossible. But far from being an accommodating "Uncle Tom," Booker T. Washington led an educational movement that resulted in the establishment of African American colleges throughout the South. The inspiring statue of him entitled "Lifting the Veil of Ignorance" (p. 42 of the text) on Tuskegee University depicts his aspirations for African Americans. A man can only be judged by his own time, not ours. If he didn’t get the whole picture right, did any of our Founding Fathers do better? I doubt it. The country owes a debt of gratitude to Booker T. Washington for what he accomplished. I hope your students and children get a chance to read this book and to get acquainted with this great American educator. His life story is well worth knowing.
