Washington's view towards education in his autobiography, Up From Slavery.
Washington's autobiography, Up From Slavery, is a rich narrative of a man's life who succeeds in life and becomes one of the founder of the Tuskegee Institute. The book takes us through one of the most dynamic periods in this country's history. It provides a narrative on Washington's life as well as his views on education and integration of African Americans. All though this book was written in the first year of this century, Washington's views are still valid today. His views towards education not only were positive factor during the period, but also should be used today.
In his autobiography, Washington writes about some of his most important lessons about education while he attended Hampton University. These lessons included his personal beliefs about keeping clean and self worth. He also learned that education does not mean that one was above manual labor. He say, " Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work "(Washington 131). Washington also said, " At Hampton I not only learned that it was not a disgrace to labor, but learned to love labour, not alone for its financial value, but for labour's own sake and for the independence and self-reliance "(Washington 51). Proving the point Washington felt that education should be well rounded and that a person should learn to love labor. Washington held strong belief reliance and he believed that people should not be selfish and they should lead by example. Washington would take these take these lessons with him to Tuskegee Institute where he would soon become the founder.
Washington believed the purpose the Tuskegee Institute was to produce people who could work hard to learn a trade and earn a living. He believed they should learn the importance of cleanliness and spirituality. Washington hoped that graduates would go throughout the country and be a example to all who came in contact with them.
