Booker T. Washington faced enormous struggles to get an education. After overhearing about a school for African Americans in Virginia, he was determined to attend despite having no money, direction, or support besides his ill mother. He worked in coal mines to save money, then walked hundreds of miles with little food or shelter to reach the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. The journey was difficult, as he faced discrimination from white people along the way. However, his strong will and determination to get an education led him to overcome great hardship and arrive at Hampton with sufficient funds to begin his studies.

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.
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3. Before We enter the
lesson…
Discuss the issues the
children in India face to get
proper education.
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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.
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5. “ Education is the most powerful weapon
which you can use to change the world.
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6. Significant Issues.
◇ Author’s journey from Malden to Hampton
◇ White man’s attitude towards coloured people.
◇ Washington’s struggle for an education
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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.
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8. A journey from Malden to Hampton
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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.
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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.
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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.
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12. Thank You.
Let us have a burning desire like Booker to get ourselves educated.