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Difficulty: EasyBlack Education, HBCUs, and Philosophical Debates

Read the following excerpt from a speech delivered by Booker T. Washington in 1895:

"No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem. It is at the bottom of life we must begin, and not at the top. Nor should we permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities."

Based on this excerpt, which of the following best describes the primary goal of Washington's educational philosophy?

  1. A
    To cultivate a "Talented Tenth" of college-educated intellectuals to lead immediate legal challenges to segregation
  2. B
    To encourage Black Americans to abandon claims to US citizenship and prepare for emigration to West Africa
  3. To secure economic independence and self-reliance through practical labor and vocational trainingAnswer
  4. D
    To limit education strictly to religious instruction in order to strengthen the political power of Black churches

Answer

The option focusing on securing economic independence and self-reliance through practical labor and vocational training is correct.
The option focusing on securing economic independence and self-reliance is correct because Booker T. Washington argued that vocational training and agricultural labor would allow Black Americans to build a strong economic foundation, which he believed was a necessary prerequisite for eventual social and political advancement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the provided text excerpt for key philosophical indicators.
The text emphasizes starting at the 'bottom of life' and finding 'dignity in tilling a field,' which points to industrial, agricultural, and manual labor.
This helps identify the core values of the educational philosophy being described.
2
Identify the historical figure associated with the excerpt and their educational model.
The quote is from Booker T. Washington, who founded the Tuskegee Institute to promote industrial education.
Connecting the source to the historical actor clarifies the underlying intent of the program.
3
Evaluate the answer choices against Washington's historical goals.
The choice emphasizing economic independence through practical and vocational training aligns with Washington's focus on self-reliance.
This allows for the elimination of incorrect choices that describe competing ideologies, such as liberal arts leadership (Du Bois) or emigration.

Key Concept

Booker T. Washington's educational philosophy focused on industrial education, agricultural training, and economic self-sufficiency for Black Americans in the post-Reconstruction era.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Black Education, HBCUs, and Philosophical Debates

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