Booker T. Washington and the Struggle against White Supremacy: The Southern Educational Tours, 1908–1912

by David H. Jackson Jr.

This book narrates and analyzes the southern tours that Booker T. Washington and his associates undertook in 1908-1912, relating them to Washington's racial philosophy and its impact on the various parts of black society.

Genres: History

278 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2008

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an important historiographical extension of Robert Norrell’s groundbreaking “Up from History.” David H. Jackson, Jr. effectively debunks the uncharitable analysis of Booker T.’s life and work that originated with W.E.B. Du Bois, reached its nadir in August Meier and Louis Harlan’s works, and dominated Washington scholarship for over half a century. Jackson proves that Booker T. was no accomodationist. Rather, he was “Machiavellian;” he masterfully manipulated metalanguge in order to challenge white prejudice in a “full-fledged psychological war.” Jackson asks that we judge Washington on the basis of result, not by the standard of radical rhetoric.