Compare (1895) Booker T. Washington, "The Atlanta Compromise Speech" AND (1896) Hope,
“We Are Struggling For Equality,” Where do they agree? Disagree? What does their
agreement/disagreement suggest about black leadership and black problems in the late 1800s?
Week 1-2
Early Leaders, Education and Migration
Christopher A. Lowe
History 314: African American History Since Slavery
Professor Ferrell
June 23, 2016
Christopher Lowe, 591 word, I pledge 2
Since the abolition of slavery there has always been a struggle for acceptance and
equality. As the generations move on throughout time, more African American's become
increasingly educated and skilled in different types of labor. With evolution comes
change. Change is inevitable in society since the dawn of time. Leaders from both sides of the
color barrier, are sought to bring about influence and change, to the social landscape of
American society. This will show how two men of different races strive to achieve the same
goal in different ways.
Booker T. Washington gave a speech to the Atlanta Cotton States and International
Exposition on September 18, 1895. This speech was later known as the "Atlanta Compromise
Speech".1(Bacon) Washington was addressing the audience who was comprised of the President,
board of directors and citizens. Passionate about his views, he was very passive in his speech, to
show that African-Americans were a devout people. He mentions in his address that the
managers of the exposition were very generous on how they treated the African-American
people. With this showing that this type of support will aid in the culmination of a continued
friendship between whites and African-Americans. Washington uses metaphors to convey that
you must take a chance to establish trust and friendship.
Booker T. Washington states "Nearly sixteen millions of hands will aid you pulling the
load upwards, or they will pull against you the load downwards."2(Washington) He was showing
the struggle of the African-American both ways. With every race you will have those that
support, and those that are so set they will try to keep you from having hope. The point of his
speech is to reassure to the white community to believe in the plight of the AfricanAmerican. They have always known them as their laborers in the fields and in the cities. They
1
2
Alice M. Bacon, The Negro and the Atlanta Exposition (Baltimore: The Trustees, 1896), 12-16.
Booker T. Washington, The Atlanta Compromise speech, (Atlanta, 1895).
Christopher Lowe, 591 word, I pledge 3
are a patient and devoted people who will continue their support long after this
speech. Washington recognizes that the road to equality will be a long and difficult struggle, and
that the African-American understands this and should not force it.
John Hope delivered his rebuttal in a speech before a black debating society in
Nashville.3(Torrence) John Hope took a similar stance on equality. His delivery was different
from that of Washington. John Hope was addressing African-Americans and was showing that
he wants equality for all Americans. Hope states "I regard it as cowardly and dishonest for any
of our colored men to tell white people that we are not struggling for equality."4(Hope) He talks
about that if money and education cannot bring the same privilege as much as equality that they
are a curse. This shows that he values wealth and education as much as equality of every man
regardless of race. Hope talks of not settling for what you have but to go and make your way
and to never just let alone the prejudices that are conveyed.
Both of these men agree that African-Americans should be treated as equally as
whites. They also agree that African-Americans are skilled and educated and can become better
skilled and more educated as equals. Where they differ in their approach. Booker T.
Washington took a humbler and passive approach and John Hope to a more aggressive
stance. Both men were speaking to groups of a different race than their own. They were similar
in theme, but not in delivery. Washington does not acknowledge a struggle for equality from
whites. Hope tries to convey that whites struggle for equality just as much as the AfricanAmerican. Both agree that the leaders are the focal point in bringing change and equality.
3
4
Ridgley Torrence, The Story of John Hope (New York: Macmillan, 1948), 114-15.
John Hope, “We Are Struggling For Equality”, (Nashville, 1896).
Christopher Lowe, 591 word, I pledge 4
Bibliography
Alice M. Bacon, The Negro and the Atlanta Exposition (Baltimore: The Trustees, 1896), 12-16.
Booker T. Washington, The Atlanta Compromise speech, (Atlanta, 1895), Blackpast.org, African
American History: Major Speeches.
John Hope, “We Are Struggling For Equality”, (Nashville, 1896), Blackpast.org, African
American History: Major Speeches.
Ridgley Torrence, The Story of John Hope (New York: Macmillan, 1948), 114-15.