In what must have been a most memorable and exciting day in Prairie View in the summer of 1897, Professor Booker T Washington, then president of the famous Tuskegee Institute (now University), delivered the commencement address to the first graduating class. That first class at Prairie View consisted of eight Black men.
I doubt if Prof. Washington was deterred by the small number of students that day. He was was not only a dreamer, but a maker of dreams. Washington started his adult life as a freed slave. He envisioned himself obtaining a college education and working for the advancement of the Black people who had recently been freed after the War Between The States. Prof. Washington also envisioned a time when Black people could receive an equal education in facilities equal to those afforded White students across the nation. But he was a practical man. Knowing that "equality" would still be a long time in coming, Booker T Washington began his crusade for Black education immediately, not waiting for that day in the hazy future.
I thought it was truly remarkable that this great man would make the long trek to Texas, especially since he had just delivered a commencement address in one of the northern states. Additionally, Washington must have wondered what sort of treatment he could expect as he made his way through Texas to Prairie View, just outside of Hempstead. No doubt he knew that he would be speaking to a very small graduating class. Equally doubtless, Washington knew his words would be printed in newspapers across the nation. He was not one to miss such an opportunity, no matter the hardships and hazards.
I had hoped to read his address and present some of his words in this blog; however, at this point I have not located transcripts or summaries of his commencement message. According to media of the day, many dignitaries, both White and Black, as well as many citizens, including freedmen, attended the commencement that day in 1897. Booker T Washington made his speech and returned to Alabama, but whatever he said must have been inspirational, as Prairie View A& M, as it is now called, continued to grow. It is a thriving part of the Texas A & M University System, and is a land-grant funded institution. Prairie View A & M is now a popular destination for Black students, and for a diverse group of other students as well.
I hope to locate Professor Washington's address and blog it here for you in the near future. Texas history is rich and unique, and it was made even more so by Professor Washington's visit to Prairie View Normal and Industrial Institute over a hundred years ago.
God Bless Texas!
I doubt if Prof. Washington was deterred by the small number of students that day. He was was not only a dreamer, but a maker of dreams. Washington started his adult life as a freed slave. He envisioned himself obtaining a college education and working for the advancement of the Black people who had recently been freed after the War Between The States. Prof. Washington also envisioned a time when Black people could receive an equal education in facilities equal to those afforded White students across the nation. But he was a practical man. Knowing that "equality" would still be a long time in coming, Booker T Washington began his crusade for Black education immediately, not waiting for that day in the hazy future.
I thought it was truly remarkable that this great man would make the long trek to Texas, especially since he had just delivered a commencement address in one of the northern states. Additionally, Washington must have wondered what sort of treatment he could expect as he made his way through Texas to Prairie View, just outside of Hempstead. No doubt he knew that he would be speaking to a very small graduating class. Equally doubtless, Washington knew his words would be printed in newspapers across the nation. He was not one to miss such an opportunity, no matter the hardships and hazards.
I had hoped to read his address and present some of his words in this blog; however, at this point I have not located transcripts or summaries of his commencement message. According to media of the day, many dignitaries, both White and Black, as well as many citizens, including freedmen, attended the commencement that day in 1897. Booker T Washington made his speech and returned to Alabama, but whatever he said must have been inspirational, as Prairie View A& M, as it is now called, continued to grow. It is a thriving part of the Texas A & M University System, and is a land-grant funded institution. Prairie View A & M is now a popular destination for Black students, and for a diverse group of other students as well.
I hope to locate Professor Washington's address and blog it here for you in the near future. Texas history is rich and unique, and it was made even more so by Professor Washington's visit to Prairie View Normal and Industrial Institute over a hundred years ago.
God Bless Texas!
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