Innocent

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Innocent

In the case of Booker T. Washington once can plainly dismiss the idea of charging him with complacency or sycophancy. Such charges are absolutely absurd and can be easily disproved. In a time period where the black race was truly looked down upon, disrespected and mistreated, Booker T. Washington sought to do things to bring his people out of the muck they were placed in.

Complacency is the act of self-satisfaction accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies. As stated by a member of Prosecution, “For this trial, complacency is being defined as a state of conscious denial about hazards or oppressions” (Blandford 1). How could one believe that this is what Mr. Washington stood for? As brought up by members of the prosecution, Booker T. Washington’s complacency can be seen in the area of education. As stated by Prosecutor Wilson, “Washington discusses his disgust with his students’ preoccupation with the study of foreign language, grammar an arithmetic”. Such a statement is not true. Booker T. Washington was quite in favor of the intellectual learning of black. After all, why would such an activist for the betterment of blacks be against their intellectual betterment?

At no point in time does Mr. Washington show disgust as portrayed by the prosecution in the area of education. In fact, Washington was in favor for the intellectual incline of his black people. “I was determined to start them off on a solid and thorough foundation so far as their books were concerned”(89). Now, does that sound like the words of a man against education? It is just that Booker T. Washington wanted his people to succeed and be the best in all areas of life including that of industrial work. He wanted his students to be well rounded so that after graduation they would be able to get any kind of job, whether it is relying solely on intellectual aspects or that of specific skill or trade. Washington was well aware of the success and independence one can attain from knowing specific skills needed within the society. With this ability, an individual can be self-employed and can always get jobs within the society.

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