Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington

Synopsis: The Autobiography of a Prominent Educator and Tuskegee Institute Visionary and Trailblazer, born into Slavery.

Writing Style: Scholarly Suit Speak. Stiff. Antebellum. Maybe artificially generated?

Pacing: Stagnant.

Personal Highlights: In lieu of the pacing and writing style, the dominant message conveyed within proved to be a salable courier for she who has always admired Booker T. Washington’s name, but only knew tidbits of his work and profile from other writers critical of him. So, from this venue I was ripe for delving into this tome.

Going from a slave (as a boy) to the path he’d taken to learn to read was like reading gold. Portrait worthy was his account of the slaves being freed. “The realization of freedom, and what this really meant..." Freed slaves transitioned from "glee to gloom," most not knowing how to begin or where to start. It tickled me however, as well as educated me more so, on slaves renaming themselves and the dawn of the middle name, ...or the initial black men referred to as “his entitles”. I coveted freed slaves “trying their freedom on…” blending into the genesis of government becoming such a leaning post for many freed people. I noted the attention placed on capitalizing ‘the words’ Negro and Colored but not black...a parallel to assimilation views Mr. Washington held for himself and others. His experiences traveling across states with the Indian (Native American) and Moroccan black, and hearing stories such as the man traveling by train who’s race was determined by his shoes/feet… emulsified a skepticism I’ve long held asking where (scientifically) does the black begin and white ends?

There was just so much in this autobiography. Booker T. Washington walked the talk. Like what could be more meritorious than the Tuskegee Institute experiment? Explaining what incentivised good work ethics; like pioneering something to leave ‘a name’ for heirs more likely to build on these investments and less likely to destroy or deface their inheritances was heard, loud and clear. His belief that ‘God gives no unequal burdens’ I believe too. I mean, I can go on and on, to include the nuances where I could see how some might be troubled by his speeches, which to this end, the Atlanta National Exposition speech may have very well cemented his legacy.

Just a few more personal favorites; His mother and the woman who washed windows with him. Beautiful mentoring message. The successful public speaking advice. Again, spot on. Have something to say. And pray. Had to look up Robert Gould Shaw. Didn't know this. Interesting. “Store hats” vs “homespun” caps, another solid moral. His preference for reading biographies…and why …no need to elaborate here😄. Uncle Jake and the music lesson was one spot where I laughed out loud. “Give him the last lesson first!” Oh, so funny. Suffice to add, I got a lot out of this biography. It is a charitable must. Highly recommended. Read soft copy 2021 copyright edition.