Booker T. Washington- "Up from Slavery"

                It’s interesting reading this excerpt right after reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn because that novel dealt with the issue of slavery and the relations between white and blacks—blacks being less equal than whites.  Booker T. Washington was asked to make a speech and in his speech he mentions the tensions between blacks and whites.  He begins his speech with an story about dropping one’s bucket down to others—whites need to drop their buckets to blacks.  Washington was trying to challenge their old convictions about blacks not being their equal brethren.  Each race needs to realize that neither blacks nor whites are superior to either one.  Washington states, “nor should we permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities.”  If they allow their old tensions to outweigh new experiences, then they will never experience life at its fullest.

            Washington continues by speaking about how blacks need to drop their buckets to other blacks.  They must encourage one another; just like we as Americans must also.  In America today we often talk about being proud of our heritage and our freedom as a people.  While we can or cannot be at times friendly to those who come from other countries we also must stand strong next to our culture and our people.  For example, instead of assuming the worst in someone instead assume the best of them and the worst in the situation.  We need to give more credit to people rather than looking at them from negative lenses. 

            During his speech Washington has one key idea that has been his platform which is “which blacks and whites can stand with full justice to each other.”  Now, for this time or for the present the aspect of justice can be very subjective—especially for an individual.  Most people believe that they, in fact, are right—they are morally making the right choices.  This makes it considerable more complicated and more difficult to find the real meaning and true justice.