# What Are We Worth? explained — A Voice from the South

> Chapter companion for A Voice from the South by Anna Julia Cooper.

## What happens

This chapter examines the economic and social valuation of African Americans, arguing that worth is determined by practical contributions to society rather than sentiment or prejudice. It critiques both negative and idealized views of Black people, emphasizes the importance of labor and industrial education, and reflects on the historical and moral flaws inherited from slavery and Southern aristocracy, while asserting the potential for improvement through diligent effort.

## Themes in this chapter

### Racial Worth and Economic Value

The chapter centers on calculating the economic and social worth of African Americans, using metaphors of accounting and material value.

### Education and the Higher Development of Women

Discusses the need for industrial and technical education as a foundation for economic value, critiquing misplaced classical training.

### Critique of American Society and Caste System

Criticizes both Southern aristocratic values and Northern Puritanism, as well as the ephemeral nature of sentiment and prejudice in racial valuation.

## Character check-ins

### The Negro

Central subject of valuation; discussed in terms of economic worth, labor, and racial character.

### Mrs. Mary A. Livermore

Quoted as saying that dislike of the Negro stems from perceived weakness, not color.

### The Negro

Referenced in the context of industrial training and the need to prove intellectual ability.

### The Negro

Mentioned in relation to the historical influence of Puritan vs. Southern aristocratic values on Black character.

## Key lines

> What are you worth? What of actual value would go down with you if you were sunk into the ocean or buried by an earthquake tomorrow? Show up your cash account and your balance sheet.

The chapter asks readers to consider their tangible contributions to society, framing worth in economic terms.

_Sets up the central metaphor of accounting for racial and individual value._

> Labor must be the solid foundation stone⁠—the sine qua non of our material value; and the only effective preparation for success in this, as it seems to me, lies in the establishment of industrial and technical schools for teaching our colored youth trades.

The author argues that industrial education is essential for building economic value and overcoming racial barriers.

_Key argument for practical training over classical education._

> There is no doubt that the past two hundred and fifty years of working up the material we now inherit, has depreciated rather than enhanced its value.

The legacy of slavery and Southern aristocracy has degraded the moral and economic potential of Black people.

_Critique of historical influences on Black character and value._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_voice_from_the_south_se/chapters/what-are-we-worth
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_voice_from_the_south_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_voice_from_the_south_se/chapters