How were African Americans to achieve freedom and equality, prosperity, and full citizenship after emancipation from slavery?

The Individual Approach

Step One: Be Practical!

Work is the basis for individual advancement.

Work is a virtue in and of itself.

Work is a necessity. In a Darwinian struggle, those who are work hardest are most likely to survive.

Ex-slaves have no alternative. No one will pay reparations for past efforts and injustices.

The Critic interjects:

Work is a fine value in the abstract. But ex-slaves lacked land and resources, education, and productive skills. The only work they are likely to find is menial jobs paying starvation wages.

Booker T. replies:

The Individual Approach recognizes that ex-slaves have to begin at the bottom of the economic ladder. I say, "Cast down your bucket where you are!"

Accept menial jobs. It is a beginning.

Dignify your self and your job; take pride in your race and your effort.

Make yourself indispensible to your employer; advance your education; upgrade your marketable skills.

Ultimately, a combination of individual effort, dignity, and skill will lead to advancement for individuals and for the entire black race in America.

The Critic interjects:

Menial jobs are dead-end jobs.

A focus on dignity and skill is a distraction from the real issue: black slaves made white America prosperous; now white America prevents blacks from sharing in prosperity.

The Individual Approach disagrees. It suggests that combining hard work with strong moral character is the best route for the advancement of the race.

`Make Your Choice`

Moral Character

Hear out the Critic.

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How were African Americans to achieve freedom and equality, prosperity, and full citizenship after emancipation from slavery?

The Individual Approach

Step One: Be Practical!

Work is the basis for individual advancement.

Work is a virtue in and of itself.

Work is a necessity. In a Darwinian struggle, those who are work hardest are most likely to survive.

Ex-slaves have no alternative. No one will pay reparations for past efforts and injustices.

The Critic interjects:

Work is a fine value in the abstract. But ex-slaves lacked land and resources, education, and productive skills. The only work they are likely to find is menial jobs paying starvation wages.

Booker T. replies:

The Individual Approach recognizes that ex-slaves have to begin at the bottom of the economic ladder. I say, "Cast down your bucket where you are!"

Accept menial jobs. It is a beginning.

Dignify your self and your job; take pride in your race and your effort.

Make yourself indispensible to your employer; advance your education; upgrade your marketable skills.

Ultimately, a combination of individual effort, dignity, and skill will lead to advancement for individuals and for the entire black race in America.

The Critic interjects:

Menial jobs are dead-end jobs.

A focus on dignity and skill is a distraction from the real issue: black slaves made white America prosperous; now white America prevents blacks from sharing in prosperity.

The Individual Approach disagrees. It suggests that combining hard work with strong moral character is the best route for the advancement of the race.

Make Your Choice

Moral Character Hear out the Critic.

`Make Your Choice`

Moral Character

Hear out the Critic.