Booker T. Washington, educator, reformer and the most influentional black leader of his time (1856-1915) preached a philosophy of self-help, racial solidarity and accomodation. He urged blacks to accept discrimination for the time being and concentrate on elevating themselves through hard work and material prosperity. He believed in education in the crafts, industrial and farming skills and the cultivation of the virtues of patience, enterprise and thrift. This, he said, would win the respect of whites a

Washington's view on integration consisted of living by example. Washington felt that if black people were to show white people that they could act civilized and be an asset to the community all the races would eventually get along. Washington did not think that the government could force one people to accept another with the stroke of a pen. Washington felt that it was up to African Americans to prove themselves as equals. In my opinion, Washington's ideas on education should replace today's school system. High schools are trying to prepare everyone to go to college rather then teach them how to do a job and earn a living. Today's schools are starting to change with Community Based School Management and Charter schools, which return control back to the local level. However, in my opinion, the transformation is too little and too slow for the generation of African Americans that are now being left behind.

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