Sem 5 my struggle for education [autosaved]

GUJARAT COMMERCE COLLEGE

1. My Struggle For An Education – B T Washington By Dr Hardeepsinh R. Gohil

2. Instruction. About The Author Booker Taliaferro Washington (1856-1915) an American author, orator and civil rights leader. A leader of African-American community- last generation of African-American born into slavery. He faced enormous struggle to get education. He joined Tuskegee, Alabamain 1881 and strived to establish Tuskegee as a major university. The key person behind establishment of the National Negro Business League. 2

3. Before We enter the lesson… Discuss the issues the children in India face to get proper education. 3

4. The Story. This piece has been extracted from the autobiography of Booker T Washington Up From Slavery 1901. On hearing about the school for coloured people in Virginia he travelled without any money or food. Except his mother, nobody in his family were against this decision. It is the story of his hard and difficult path to gain education. 1

5. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. 5

6. Significant Issues. Author’s journey from Malden to Hampton White man’s attitude towards coloured people. Washington’s struggle for an education 6

7. A journey from Malden to Hampton Overhearing about a school for coloured people in Virginia, while working in the coal-mine. On the basis of the description the place became ‘better than Heaven. Resolution to go there. Working hard to go there inside the mine. Determined to go in the fall of 1872. No definite idea of direction, cost nor empathy of any family member, except ill mother. She gave the consent. Stepfather’s torture, brother John’s help – started for Hampton with a small satchel which contained few articles of clothing available. The distance from Malden to Hampton is about five hundred miles. No money to pay his fare. All the other passengers were white, except himself. Most memorable experience to remember. The hotel- no food or bed. He managed to keep warm by walking about. Only because he was coloured. No time to cherish bitterness. 7

8. A journey from Malden to Hampton 8

9. A journey from Malden to Hampton Reaches Richmond after number of days- tired, hungry, dirty and reached in the night. Large city –larger issues. No one known in the city. Unused to city ways. Temptation of the chicken and pies. Crept under the side walk and lay upon the ground- satchel as pillow- tramp of feet over head. A ship nearby unloading cargo- captain’s permission to join the process for food. A mercy of the white man. Best breakfast ever Continues the job for small amount- sleeping on the ground. Reaches Hampton with a surplus of fifty cent for education. 9

10. White men’s Attitude towards coloured people. No educational institute for coloured people. A worst experience while travelling from Malden to Hampton – At the hotel – being only coloured- man at the desk without asking about the money even- refused to provide food & shelter. Another experience with the Captain of the ship at Richmond – he allows Washington help unload the vessel in order to get money for food- because of that job he could have surplus of fifty cents to begin his education. 10

11. Struggle for Education. From the mining work of Malden to the heavenly institution of Hampton. A Journey of will and determination. Ready to do anything for the ‘Greatest place on earth, and not even Heaven presented more attractions…’ (pg.38) HAMPTON NORMAL AND AGRICULTURE INSTITUTE IN VIRGINIA. In the fall of 1872 he determined to get there started without direction, sympathy and money. The torture of stepfather, little help of elder brother John and moral support of the weak mother only. The terrible journey with the experiences of spending nights without food or shelter – sleeping on the streets- working in the cargo- sweeping the recitation-room for three times reveals his zeal to get education at any cost. 11

12. Thank You. Let us have a burning desire like Booker to get ourselves educated.