Booker T. Washington in American Memory (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780252040771)

Since the 1960s, many historians have condemned Booker T. Washington as a problematic, even negative, influence on African American progress. This attitude dramatically contrasts with the nationwide outpouring of grief and reverence that followed Washington's death in 1915. Kenneth M. Hamilton describes how, when, where, and why Americans commemorated the life of Booker T. Washington. For months following his death, tens of thousands of Americans, especially blacks, honored his memory. Their memorials revealed that Washington enjoyed widespread national support for his vision of America and the programs that he imparted to achieve his aspirations. Their actions and articulations provide rich insight into how a cross section of Washington's contemporaries viewed him. From private messages of solace to public pronouncements, countless Americans portrayed him as a revered national icon. Among other characteristics, commemorates voiced their appreciation of his humanitarianism, humility, nationalism, perseverance, philanthropy, progressivism, spirituality, and wisdom. Washington was the leading advocate of the Yankee Protestantism Ethic, which promoted education, and personal qualities such as pragmatism, perseverance, cleanliness, thrift, and the dignity of labor among African Americans.

Author: Kenneth M. Hamilton
ISBN-10: 0252040775
ISBN-13: 9780252040771
Publisher: University of Illinois Press
Language: English
Published: 02/01/2017
Pages: 272
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.15lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.00w x 1.00d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 09/01/2017