He condemns wasteful spending and often reiterates the idea that people who make themselves useful will be valued in society, no matter the color of their skin. At Tuskegee, he insists not only that students learn and practice a trade, but also that they grow their own food, construct their own buildings, and build their own furniture. Even as a child, he expresses admiration for these traits, praising his mother for making him a cap for school rather than going into debt to purchase one. Washington is a strong advocate of self-reliance and believes that individual merit will bring success regardless of one's race. For this reason he chooses to work in education rather than politics, believing he "would be helping in a more substantial way by assisting in the laying of the foundation of the race through a generous education of the hand, head, and heart" (32). He sees industrial education as key, as it gives students the skills to make a living and to be of value in their communities. From an early age, Washington views school as a paradise, a way to escape ignorance and to become equipped to help others. First and foremost, Up from Slavery is a book about the power of education to transform lives.
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