Categories: reading
Date: 17 August 2008 06:32:58
The 1901 autobiography of Booker T. Washington. I will confess I had never heard of Booker T. Washington before -- whether it be because I am not American, or ignorant in terms of social justice issues, or both, I am not sure. As I was going through Facebook's "Visual Bookshelf" ratings, this book came up -- reading its summary I thought it might sound interesting; so I picked it up from my uni library as I drove up to the Hunter two weekends ago.
I was hooked immediately. Putting aside the content, which is very difficult to do, simply the way the book is written drew me in and did not want to let me go. I read and read. I had taken the delightful The Miracle at Speedy Motors with me also, but it did not get a look in that weekend. I read, and read, Up From Slavery. I delayed sleep, I delayed meals, I lingered at cafés...just so I could read more.
It's been about two weeks since I finished it, and I wanted to wait, and ponder it a bit more, before I blogged about it. Words still fail. His story is simply amazing: rising from being a slave during the Civil War; his troubles and obstacles in getting an education, and his overcoming of these to reach and learn at the Hampton University; his establishing schools for black people, and other minorities such as the Native Americans -- most notably his being principal at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama; and his work around the US to raise funds for education, and importantly to raise awareness.
His efforts were Herculean: this was a man that, I am sure, does not come along very often. He worked so hard to instil manners, health [toothbrushes being a particular demand of his] and dignity to students -- and particularly dignity in labour. For Booker T. Washington, manual labour was not something to be looked down upon: it was not that one became educated to avoid labour, but that its values, its importance, its necessity, was recognised. A subject close to my heart, and one perhaps for another day; suffice it to say with my having no skills with my hands, I am in constant awe of those who use their hands to work -- and often feel concerned that, in today's world, at least from what I hear where I am, such work is not appreciated: its dignity, its purpose, is often overlooked.
His faith shone clearly through in the book; and, I can only guess, no doubt led to such beliefs as the dignity of labour and man -- beliefs that are clear in, though perhaps not exclusive to, the Old and New Testaments. I can but pray that may my faith similarly shine in practical love and action.
What most moved me, beyond reading all of this for the first time, was his determination. The Lord gave him a great deal of strength, far more than I feel I could ever possess, and he used it all in all he did. His love for his people, and even for the white people whom had once oppressed his race, shone through: he wanted to raise the education and dignity of all people, even those who had once thought nothing of the black population and had them as slaves. He rose above all, and with all his might and strength sought to draw all up to heights perhaps unthought-of, undreamt-of even, and got there . Truly a generous, loving and amazing man -- the likes of whom I am sure are still out there, silently doing their work; and for whom I thank God most profoundly.
I could give some quotes, but I wouldn't know where to stop. I can write nothing else but to say, if it were not obvious, that I highly recommend this book.