The Future of the American Negro

by Booker T. Washington, Bill Andrew Quinn (Reader), David Sadzin (Reader)

Written in 1899 by Booker T. Washington, an American educator, orator, and advisor to several United States presidents, The Future of the American Negro outlines Washington's ideas on the history of African-American people and their need for education in order to advance themselves within society. Putting emphasis on the concept of industrial education, a term that encompasses learning the necessary functions of becoming a valuable member of society as well as being able to apply that knowledge to industrial business, Washington created a commentary on race, religion, education, and the state of America as it was in his time. Booker T. Washington was born into slavery and later went on to become one of the dominant leaders in the African American community, actively working against disenfranchisement and discrimination. The Future of the American Negro is an integral listen for anyone interested in American history, race, and key political figures of the past.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Classics, African American, Audiobook, American, Race

Audio CD

First published January 1, 1899

About the author

Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, orator, author and the dominant leader of the African-American community nationwide from the 1890s to his death. Born to slavery and freed by the Civil War in 1865, as a young man, became head of the new Tuskegee Institute, then a teachers' college for blacks. It became his base of operations. His "Atlanta Exposition" speech of 1895 appealed to middle class whites across the South, asking them to give blacks a chance to work and develop separately, while implicitly promising not to demand the vote. White leaders across the North, from politicians to industrialists, from philanthropists to churchmen, enthusiastically supported Washington, as did most middle class blacks. He was the organizer and central figure of a network linking like-minded black leaders throughout the nation and in effect spoke for Black America throughout his lifetime. Meanwhile a more militant northern group, led by W. E. B. Du Bois rejected Washington's self-help and demanded recourse to politics, referring to the speech dismissively as "The Atlanta Compromise". The critics were marginalized until the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, at which point more radical black leaders rejected Washington's philosophy and demanded federal civil rights laws.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really glad I picked this up as an audio book at my library, and even happier I stuck with it in spite of a lot of repetition throughout. Some of the most interesting parts come towards the end, such as the rather dispassionate discussion of lynching. I suppose I'd imagined that lynchers wore their racism on their sleeves and felt no need to justify the act. In fact, there was an arsenal of rationalizations used to explain the necessity/morality of lynching. I was so scandalized to hear such absurdities, it was odd to listen to Washington debunk each argument in earnestness. Worth a read for that alone.

[Edward · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this after reading "Up From Slavery", and Washington states many of the same ideas from his autobiography in this book. He believes the key to success for blacks in the south was an industrial education combined with the vaguely worded "Christian character". A solid read if you're new to Washington and his ideas, if you've read "Up From Slavery" you can probably skip this one. I think Washington's ideas are still very relevant today, only so much can be accomplished through politics.

[Malola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

Very elocuent, beautifully written.
I want to say "too optimistic regarding the solutions", but he finished right on spot with "I do not suffer myself to take too optimistic a view of the conditions in the South".
I guess he thought being more confrontational would create a greater divide.
I'm looking forward to read his bio and Mr. Du Bois' perspective given that they didn't agree on how to tackle racism.

[Agassi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read

This publication is a must read book by all races, especially those persons with an African American decent. In my respect, I am a visionary.

[Josaih D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book difficult to finish. Washington provides an account of the American South, with a particular focus on the state of the Black community—both economically and socially. He argues that the only way forward is to build a Black culture and economy that can lay the groundwork for a financially sustainable future.

The difficulty I had with the book lies in Washington’s tone, which can come across as pretentious and overly authoritative. There is a distinct “I did it, so you can do it too” attitude that runs throughout the text. The solutions he offers seem overly simplistic and fail to account for the fact that, if everyone followed his advice to learn a trade, Black people would merely become another cog in the capitalist machine. Is that really so different from being a slave? I suppose, from his perspective, it isn’t—since we’d be receiving income and accumulating wealth. In this respect, I tend to agree. However, I disagree with the heavy emphasis he places on Black people building their own society, as though it’s a path to assimilation, rather than a counterpoint to the existing societal structure.

On a more positive note, I did find his optimism about the future of the American South refreshing. In today’s world, I believe much of what he envisioned has been achieved, though not without a continued need for progress

[Yossi Khebzou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond being an excellent observation on race for its time, this book provides an interesting way to look at education. In a way, Washington’s philosophy of combining industrial work with intellectual education reminded me of early kibbutzniks in Israel. Although I did not agree with some of the content that the author proposes (a certain level of education to vote, for example), I still think it’s a book worth reading.

[Skeeter]

I recently found out that I've married into an original copy of this book, autographed by Booker T. Washington. I picked it up and started reading and was totally engulfed. I've read 3 chapters and I quite frequently forget I'm reading a book that is over 100 years old. With the exception of some of the phrasing and word choice, it seems quite relevant to modern day...unfortunately.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely blew me away at how well thought out it was. Booker T. Washington was an amazing man, and this book solidified that in my mind. There are things that are addressed in this book that are so relevant, they could have been written yesterday. It's a fantastic read.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sign me up for the Booker T. Washington fan club. Not sure if there's a definitive answer on what was the best approach to integration, as I think it might be easy to say he was too optimistic here, but the work he did was incredible.

[Mike Ncube · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 out of 5 stars from me. Another Booker T classic. If only his ideas had been followed.

[BookSinArt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished reading…
~The Future of the American Negro by Booker T. Washington | Audio
~Narrated by: Bill Andrew Quinn

“In discussing the negro, it always to be borne in mind that all the other inhabitants of America, he came here without his own consent.  In fact, was compelled to leave his own country and become a part of another through physical force. After being brought to America the negroes were forced to labor for about 250 years.”

Amazing and engrossing read. I mean, damn.
It is American history that NEEDS to be taught in every school.
No review I give will do this justice.
Just read it.

Synopsis: Written in 1899 by Booker T. Washington, an American educator, orator, and advisor to several U.S. presidents, The Future of the American Negro outlines Washington’s ideas on the history of African-American people and their need education in order to advance themselves within society. Putting emphasis on the concept of industrial education, a term that encompasses learning the necessary functions of becoming a valuable member of society as well as being able to apply that knowledge to industrial business, Washington created a commentary on race, religion, education, and the state of America as it was in his time. Booker was born into slavery and later went on to become one of the dominant leaders in the African American community, actively working against disenfranchisement & discrimination. This is an integral listen/read for anyone interested in American history and race.

SynopsiSexxy: Mr. Washington gives us real insight of the struggles black Americans have suffered & endured. It’s a frank discussion. He speaks of how black Americans must first improve themselves through education, industrial training, and business ownership. He speaks of how the odds are stacked against them. How black parents weren’t allowed to raise their children, how black people were forced to work in the fields, but not in the processing plants. They were hard labor only never allowed to learn skilled labor. Which negatively impacted them when they became freed. How lynching, and discrimination created fear and subservience, but also, that “negroes” needed to do more to improve their lives. The complexity of his conflicting views are honest and enlightening. Majority of what he says can literally apply to modern America. Though obvious strides have been made, there is still rampant racism. I wish he were alive today. I’d love to hear his insights on modern America, the black struggle, and their success.

Fave quote (I honestly could quote the whole book):
It has been proven that education unfits the negro for work and education makes him more valuable as a laborer. That he is our greatest criminal and that he is our most law-abiding citizen. In the midst of these conflicting opinions it is hard to hit upon the truth. But, also, in the midst of this confusion there are a few things of which I am certain. Things which furnish a basis for thought and action. I know that whether the negroes are increasing or decreasing; whether they are growing better or worse; whether they are valuable or valueless; that a few years ago some fourteen of them were brought into this country and that now that those fourteen are merely ten millions. I know that whether in slavery or freedom, they have always been loyal to the Stars and Stripes. That no school house has been open for them that has not been filled. That the two million ballots that they have the right to cast are as potent for wheel or woe as an equal number cast by the wisest and most influential men in America. I know that wherever negro life touches the life of the nation, it helps or it hinders, that wherever the life of the white race touches the black it makes it stronger or weaker. Further, I know that almost every other race that has tried to look the white man in the face, has disappeared.

JSR: 📚📚📚📚📚
JSAR: 📚📚📚📚📚

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this right before I started MLK's biography to connect the history and evolution of thought. I need to research how Washington is perceived today as I'm curious about how his pragmatic approach from post-reconstuction are regarded

[Teon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grassroots

An amazing African-American story of their rise from Slavery to capitalism. It’s an essential literature that began after slavery. Documenting Booker T. Washington’s life.

[Paul Vawter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like his "Up From Slavery," in this book Washington speaks of the ennobling power of hard work, thrift, and striving for excellence. There is much wisdom here for those who would take it. In today's grievance culture, however, it seems doubtful that many are prepared to listen.

[Alex]

Listened to as an audiobook. I recommend it.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting writing from Washington. A lot of his observations seem to still be applicable today. I look forward to getting into his other works.

[Hafsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curious about the role of Christianity in his perspective on racial relations.

[Laurie Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 1907, this is definitely history. And yet, I found the book weirdly relevant. Washington was concerned about the future of his own race, but I thought much of his advice was universal.

[Craig Reges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good from a historical perspective. His predictions mainly fell flat and his expectations that whites would grow to respect blacks, not so much.

[John Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read. But a must read.