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Summary: Here are 13 questions and answers for Booker T. Washington's most famous speech: The Atlanta Exposition Address. BTW urges his black listeners to stay in the US and learn practical job skills. He shows that economic prosperity must precede legal and social equality but stated that the Negro must receive protection by the law.
Answers by J.D. Meyer
How did Mr. Washington view the Atlanta Exposition for African-Americans?
As a recognition that will do more to cement the friendship of the two races than any occurrence since the dawn of our freedom (30 years earlier).
What did Mr. Washigton predict would awaken in Blacks as a result of this exposition?
A new era of industrial progress: For example, Blacks would seek more often "real estate or industrial skill or a dairy farm or truck garden," as opposed to the contrived placement in political office, originally by an occupying army.
What three pieces of advice did Mr. Washington give to Blacks in stating, "Cast your bucket here."?
Don't move to another country. Cultivate friendly relations with those of other races. Become involved in agriculture, mechanics, commerce, domestic services, and the professions.
What two aspects of advice did Mr. Washington offer Whites by that same statement?
Don't count on foreign immigrants to do work for you instead of African-Americans. Encourage African-Americans to obtain education of the "head, hand, and heart," like you are doing here through this exposition. And you find that they will work harder than any force the world has ever seen.
How did Mr. Washington feel that Whites should view the quality of labor and attitude of Blacks during slavery as a predictor of times to come?
African-Americans proved their loyalty by working hard without strikes or labor wars. Blacks nursed your children and tended to your aged.
Did Mr. Washington believe it was alright for discrimination against Blacks?
No. Efforts should be for "stimulating, encouraging and make the Negro the most useful and intelligent citizen rather that to "curtail his fullest growth."
How did Washington view the potential of the 16 million Blacks of the South?
As either a contributing factor to prosperity or a stagnating force that would drag down advancement of all.
What did African-Americans bring to this exposition in Atlanta?
Inventions and production of agricultural implements, buggies, steam-engiones, newspapers, books, statuary, carving, paintings, and the management of drug stores and banks.
Did Southern Blacks receive any help from Whites, and if so, what groups?
Whites from Southern states and Northern White philanthropists.
How did Mr. Washington view the quest for Black social equality?
It would be nonsense to force through artificial means, but it would be achieved through constant struggle because no people can be ostracized for long that has something to contribute to the world.
What did Mr. Washington believe that African-Americans should strive for?
Economic self-sufficiency: "Theopportunity to earn a dollar in a factory just now is worth infinitely more than the opportunity to spend a dollar in an opera house."
What did Mr. Washington pray that God would bring?
He hoped God would blot out sectional differences and racial strife.
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This work is licensed by Joffre (J.D.) Meyer under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY 3.0), and is an Open Educational Resource.
Last edited by Joffre (J.D.) Meyer on Jan 10, 2011 2:03 pm -0600.
