Quote:
“Negroes inhabiting this country, who themselves or whose ancestors went through the school of American slavery, are in a stronger and more hopeful condition, materially, intellectually, morally and religiously, than is true of an equal number of black people in any other portion of the globe” (Washington, 671).
Summary:
This quote from the Up from Slavery is what Washington thinks about the Negro population in America. He thinks Negroes living in America are in better position compared to Negroes all over the world. He is not only referring to a social status but he specifies that they are better morally, intellectually, materially and religiously.
Response:
Washington who experienced the last days of slavery and the change between being a slave and being a free person, makes this statement to support the fact that Negroes in America have reached a good level in society and have evolved to be in a more “hopeful condition” which is not only based in moral changes but also in intellectual, material and religion. I think what he is basically saying is that Negroes’ status has changed for good and that white people have helped them to improve themselves, so they can reach this new stronger and hopeful condition. By saying that, he is stating that Negroes are living much better in America than anywhere else in the world; therefore, Negroes should be thankful and appreciate the society they live in.
I guess most black leaders at the time would consider this statement treachery to their cause, because is like Washington is trying to defend the years of slavery and is not blaming white people for all the injustice made to the Negroes during slavery. I think, black leaders would see Washington as a complacent person who wants Negroes to be happy in America forgetting the past and appreciating living in this great society that offers different opportunities to them, in comparison to the rest of the world. I personally think that Washington was doing this to gain confidence and respect from the southern white people who might see him as a threat; therefore, this kind of thankful speech could open the doors to a pacific relationship between Negroes and whites.
“Negroes inhabiting this country, who themselves or whose ancestors went through the school of American slavery, are in a stronger and more hopeful condition, materially, intellectually, morally and religiously, than is true of an equal number of black people in any other portion of the globe” (Washington, 671).
Summary:
This quote from the Up from Slavery is what Washington thinks about the Negro population in America. He thinks Negroes living in America are in better position compared to Negroes all over the world. He is not only referring to a social status but he specifies that they are better morally, intellectually, materially and religiously.
Response:
Washington who experienced the last days of slavery and the change between being a slave and being a free person, makes this statement to support the fact that Negroes in America have reached a good level in society and have evolved to be in a more “hopeful condition” which is not only based in moral changes but also in intellectual, material and religion. I think what he is basically saying is that Negroes’ status has changed for good and that white people have helped them to improve themselves, so they can reach this new stronger and hopeful condition. By saying that, he is stating that Negroes are living much better in America than anywhere else in the world; therefore, Negroes should be thankful and appreciate the society they live in.
I guess most black leaders at the time would consider this statement treachery to their cause, because is like Washington is trying to defend the years of slavery and is not blaming white people for all the injustice made to the Negroes during slavery. I think, black leaders would see Washington as a complacent person who wants Negroes to be happy in America forgetting the past and appreciating living in this great society that offers different opportunities to them, in comparison to the rest of the world. I personally think that Washington was doing this to gain confidence and respect from the southern white people who might see him as a threat; therefore, this kind of thankful speech could open the doors to a pacific relationship between Negroes and whites.
1 comment:
20/20 Actually most Black leaders "at the time" agreed with Washington. The problems and critiques largely emerged later.
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