Asher Sisneros

In Booker T. Washington’s autobiography, he talks about slavery and racism. The negroes were not accepted socially. That was one of the dilemmas he faced during his time. Booker’s solution was to have the Negro race prove their value through economics. He wanted them to become such an integral part of the economic machine in America that they were indispensable. He wanted them to pick up a trade and master it. To become locally recognized as men of means and worth. He provided one example of a man who was incredibly gifted in agriculture. All the local farmers were getting around fifty potatoes per acre. However, the man he spoke of was getting one-hundred-and-twenty. After witnessing such extraordinary results, the other white farmers asked the black farmer for help. Through economic means, he became indispensable to that community. Booker advocated for others to do the same. 

One may argue that this is an elitist system. That is the very question that Dr. Gary North asked. It would appear that Booker’s solution has a world in which only the elitist negroes survive. I disagree. Booker’s suggestion is capitalist, not elitist. In capitalism, those who are willing to put in the work survive. Anyone from any background is capable of excelling. Capitalism just demands efficient work. Booker’s solution has people use Capitalism to become indispensable. In Capitalism, the poorest person can grow to have riches. Is it hard? Yes. But there are no barriers to entry except determination.