372. AEC 201: The Struggle for an Education (1)

Booker T. Washington was a well known Negro leader of the United States of America. He was born in a poor family in 1856. Being poor and black he had to stuggle hard for his education and progress. He was a good writer and famous orator. His two autobiographies brought him much fame. These are : Up from slavery (1901), and My larger education (1911). He breathed his last in 1913.

 The writer of this lesson was a poor negro boy. He worked in a coal mine. But he had a strong desire for education. So he managed to seek admission to a good school in Hampton. The present lesson is an autobiographical piece narrating the hardships the author had to face while working to fulfil his aspirations of progress.

"My Struggle for an Education" is an autobiographical narrative by Booker T. Washington, detailing his journey to obtain an education, which began with his efforts to earn money in salt furnaces and coal mines before walking to and attending the Hampton Institute in Virginia, where he worked as a janitor to pay for his studies. The account highlights his determination in the face of poverty to pursue knowledge, leading to his graduation from Hampton and subsequent teaching career.

It is actually the third chapter from Washington's book Up from Slavery. 

"My Struggle for an Education" summarizes Booker T. Washington's arduous journey as a young Black boy in the post-Civil War South to attend the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, a school for Black people in Virginia. After learning about the school while working in a coal mine, he walked over 500 miles to reach it, enduring hardship, poverty, and sleeping under sidewalks, ultimately proving his dedication to the headmistress through his diligent cleaning efforts to gain admission.

Key Events and Hardships

Discovery of Hampton:

Washington, working in a coal mine, learned of the Hampton Institute from other workers and was inspired by its focus on trades and opportunities for Black students.

The Journey:

At the age of sixteen, with minimal money and his mother's reluctant permission, he set out on a long journey to Hampton, Virginia.

The Walk and Homelessness:

The journey was long and difficult, involving walking long distances, sometimes begging for rides, and even sleeping under sidewalks due to lack of shelter and money.

Arrival and Admission:

Upon arriving at Hampton, Washington was met by the stern headmistress, Miss Mary F. Mackie. He was initially doubted due to his unkempt appearance but was admitted after diligently cleaning the room she assigned him to inspect, demonstrating his earnest desire for education.

Themes and Significance

Perseverance:

The story highlights Washington's incredible determination and perseverance to overcome severe obstacles. 

Dignity and Hard Work:

It showcases his willingness to perform hard labor, even in demeaning circumstances, to earn his education.

Importance of Education:

The narrative underscores the profound value of education as a tool for self-improvement and a powerful equalizer, especially in the face of systemic racial discrimination.

Racial Discrimination:

The story provides a glimpse into the racial segregation and prevalent prejudices of the era that made obtaining an education a significant challenge for Black individuals.