# VI: Black Race and Red Race explained — Up from Slavery

> Chapter companion for Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington.

## What happens

Booker T. Washington reflects on his experiences with race and caste, including his time teaching Native American students at Hampton Institute, the founding of the night-school, and his observations on racial prejudice. He also recounts his political canvassing for Charleston as the state capital and his return to Hampton to deliver the postgraduate address, emphasizing the importance of industrial education and self-reliance over political ambition.

## Themes in this chapter

### Race Relations and Compromise

Washington explores the complexities of racial caste, including the treatment of Native Americans and African Americans, and the absurdities of color-line distinctions.

### Education and Self-Improvement

The night-school at Hampton provides a pathway for poor but earnest students to gain education through work, embodying self-improvement.

### Dignity of Labor

Washington emphasizes the value of industrial training and the dignity found in working with one's hands, as seen in the night-school program.

## Character check-ins

### Booker T. Washington

Narrator and protagonist; reflects on his work with Indian students, his political canvassing, and his return to Hampton.

### General Samuel C. Armstrong

Founder of Hampton Institute; conceived the night-school and invited Washington to return for the postgraduate address.

### Frederick Douglass

Quoted for his response to racial degradation on a train, emphasizing inner dignity.

### George Washington

Cited in a story about politeness and respect across racial lines.

### Uncle Jake

Used in an analogy about the need for foundational education before higher aspirations.

## Key lines

> Do you suppose that I am going to permit a poor, ignorant, coloured man to be more polite than I am?

George Washington refused to let a black man outdo him in politeness, showing that true gentlemanliness transcends race.

_Washington uses this anecdote to illustrate the conduct of a true gentleman toward those less fortunate._

> They cannot degrade Frederick Douglass. The soul that is within me no man can degrade. I am not the one that is being degraded on account of this treatment, but those who are inflicting it upon me.

Frederick Douglass asserted that his inner dignity was beyond the reach of racial insults, and that the degraders themselves were the ones diminished.

_Washington cites Douglass to emphasize that true character cannot be tarnished by external prejudice._

> I wants yer to be sure an’ give me dat las’ lesson first.

Uncle Jake asked to learn the most important lesson first, symbolizing the need for foundational education before advanced pursuits.

_Washington uses this story to argue that African Americans should prioritize industrial and basic education over immediate political or professional ambitions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/up_from_slavery_se/chapters/vi-black-race-and-red-race
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/up_from_slavery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/up_from_slavery_se/chapters