Integrity Research Paper: Booker T. Washington

Integrity-The quality of being honest and holding true to moral values (Webster's Dictionary, 2018).

Booker T. Washington, short for Booker Taliaferro Washington, was known as an American educator and author. He played a big part in equal rights for race. He was born on April 5, 1856, in Westlake Corner, Virginia and died November 14, 1915, in Tuskegee, Alabama. Booker T. Washington was born into slavery but unlike most kids had a Mom but not a Dad. He had three wives: Olivia A. Davidson, Margaret Murray, and Fannie Smith Washington. He also had 2 sons Ernest Davidson Washington and Booker T. Washington Jr. He was born to Washington Ferguson and Jane Ferguson.-(Biography.com Authors:Stan Lee, Hugh Hefner, Sarah Josepha Hale,Simon Carmon,et.al Publisher: A&E Television Networks )Booker T. Washington, showed integrity by doing so much in life to change the world for the better.

Booker T. Washington grew up in Virginia, born to a mother in slavery and a his father that they did not know. According to Biography.com his father was an unknown white man that most likely was from some nearby plantation. At the age of 16, he traveled 500 miles to Hampton Normal Agricultural Institute in Virginia, taking jobs along the way to support himself. Booker T. Washington did not get much an education as a child because he grew up as a slave. However he was an eager man looking to finish and excel in his education. So he convinced Hampton Normal Agricultural, to teach him in exchange for him working as the janitor to pay for tuition. When he was there, he met General Samuel C. Armstrong. Armstrong, was commander of the African-American regiment and was giving out scholarships to slaves. Armstrong saw that he was not a quitter but a hard worker. Booker T. Washington was the definition of a hard worker because he worked as hard as he could too not only get out of a bad situation but to where he wanted to be. With the help of General Samuel C. Armstrong, who strengthened his morals and beliefs. Booker T. Washington, says in the story of my life and work that I consider that there is no permanent success possible without hard and serve effort, coupled with the highest and praiseworthy aims.-(The Story Of My Life And Work, Booker T. Washington)

Booker T. Washington was not like most people that have ever lived. He saw something in himself he believed that the world didn't see so he with the help with his ethics and values stood for it. Later he grew up and ran the Hampton school in tuskegee, even though most people recommended a white person General Samuel C. Jackson, chose the person he thought would do the best, Booker T. Washington. Because of the acts of running the school he not only increased black rights but education for both races.

Booker T. Washington was a pillar in education for African Americans. In 1881 Booker T. Washington was the leader of the tuskegee institute of Alabama, which meant a bill was passed to help and train colored students and teachers in education and vocational training. This was also a big deal because it would help them be respected and accepted in a white community. I believe that that showed great integrity that he would strive to help other people in need. He says in one of his quote If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.- Booker T. Washington, 1856.

Later Booker T. Washington in 1895 went forth and spoke the Atlanta Compromise saying that all men are equal and that instead of fighting each other that we should be friend each other because in reality we need each other. This was a big wake up call for both races. Because of this he was invited to dinner with theodore roosevelt, and was used as an advisor on racial matters showing that both men were equal. This caused an uproar among whites especially congress who said someone should put African Americans back in there place. -(Encyclopedia Britannica.com Authors: Augustyn, Bauer, Duignan, Eldridge, et.al ; Publisher: Encyclopedia Britannica Inc.)

On November 14,1915 Booker Taliaferro Washington died of high blood pressure. He died at the age of 59 and left a legacy for use to remember. Now the world has taken some of his beliefs into their own hands. Booker T. Washington believed that success was Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. so in this way Booker T. Washington was a very successful man with a lot of integrity.

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