Booker Taliaferro Washington was born on April 5th, 1856 in Franklin County, Virginia. He was born on a plantation owned by James Burroughs. Washington was raised by his mother Jane. Little is know about his father. “I had heard reports to the extent that he was a white man who lived on the nearby plantations. Whoever he was, I never heard of his taking the least bit interest in me or providing in any way for my rearing” (Washington 4). His mother had him work as early as possible. Since it was illegal for a slave to learn how to read and write, Washington received no education. After the Civil War, most slaves had no place to go. Booker’s stepfather was lucky enough to find work as a salt packer in Malden, West Virgin

Groups such as the NAACP and the Niagara Movement demanded “civil rights and encouraging protests in response to white aggressions such as lynchings, disfranchisement, and segregation laws” (United States (History)).

The actions of Booker T. Washington affected both blacks and whites at the time. His ideas were non-threatening and earned him the name “The Great Accommodator.” After a while, his leadership began to be ignored by the whites. His management declined as whites set up laws to keep all African American’s from voting and mixing socially in places like schools and restaurants.

Washington was telling black people that the way to gain respect from the whites is to do the same jobs as them. He felt racism would decline if blacks and whites were equal in economic value. He urged them to become farmers and artisans and to learn more manual skills. This idea gained the respect of every race. Washington’s ideas were so influential that he acted as an advisor to President Theodore Roosevelt. He was the first black to have dinner with the president. This created a huge argument saying that Booker was going against his own word and was being socially accepted with the president. Roosevelt still turned to Booker for help, but never invited him again.

To serve the cause of human freedom, one must gain the respect of his people and encourage them with positive ideas. Booker T. Washington is a true example of someone who fought for the cause of human freedom. He went from being slave to a true African American leader. He changed history for the better forever, and paved the way

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