Booker T. Washington Response

There are those that it has been said concerning them that they will never prosper no matter what they do. Curses rather than blessing are taken to be their portion. Taking into consideration that these individuals are considered to be at the lowest of society, it is no wonder that to be unworthy will be their crown to wear. However, simply for one to conceive the idea that these individual or rather race will never rise up, does not mean they have to accept it. In fact fighting for their rights is something they will never cease to do. In Booker T. Washington’s selection, “The Atlantic Exposition Address”, the writer reveals his true intent and notion behind the address and indirectly announces to his audience, that the day will come when his race will no longer have to suffice to what Caucasians entail them to.

Booker T. Washington, exercises and amazing ability of peace and tranquility throughout his speech. This ability comes from the fact that the speaker first realizes his audience. Before beginning his speech, readers have to come to the realization that the speaker is an African American being presented to an audience that is predominantly Caucasians. Due to this range of his audience, Washington is very careful with his choice of diction. “I but convey to you, Mr. President and Directors, the sentiment of masses of my race when I say to that in no way have the value and manhood of the American Negro been more fittingly and generously recognized than by the managers of the magnificent Exposition.” Readers must take note that this is the opportunity that the speaker has been waiting for. There is nothing more pleasurable to Washington than to be able to have the voice of African Americans heard not only by society, but now to have the president’s attention. Readers must be careful to understand Washington’s belief, which entailed the proposal that should African Americans have patience and take care of all their vocational duties that Caucasians expected from them, in the end someone will see their hard work and recognize them for it. As he stands in the White House and gives his speech this belief is all that Washington has been striving for for all African Americans. Washington’s choice of diction is very submissive to his white audience. He phrases his words perfectly in the way that is presentable to his audience’s ears. This submissive tone that Booker T. displays is actually very ironic. There is actually an underlined tone to what his true intentions and motivations are, as he raptures his white audience with pleasant words. Should readers pay attention to author’s use of words, Washington is rather promoting his fellow race and trying to change white mindset concerning them. He wants the white race to wake up from their ill minded concepts about blacks and come to their aid. Washington plays a laid down role in being submissive but still finding a prevailing voice to bring about his ambitions. Washington also presents a theme to the audience for himself and other African Americans to his white audience not to judge a person by their appearance. The intension behind the white race for inviting Washington was to demonstrate racial improvement in the south. However, not only did this idea backfire, Washington came out and told his audience what needs to be done in helping his race become better since no progress have been made at all. There are those in the white community that believe that blacks will never rise up to be nothing more than servants, however the author stands before them, using grammar that could be expected from one in the white community who has been to the best of schools. Washington is equivalent to any other professor or high standard individual in the audience that he speaks to. If an African American is capable of that, what is to hinder the rest of his race from also rising up if they were just given the chance to prove their abilities? It is safe to say that, Washington actually indirectly calls his white audience fools.