"Up From Slavery" by Booker T. Washington

Cricital Response

Washington's speech and his following views on the progression of the African-American race were extremely thought-provoking. A theme throughout his speech was the idea of taking immediate action despite the doubt of a positive outcome. He used the metaphor, "Cast down your bucket where you are" (1623) to demonstrate this theme, as a sailor puts a bucket in salt water and brings up fresh water instead. Washington encourages his audience to not be set in their ways of how they view ethnicity. He calls for a higher standard, in which people can cast their buckets down "by making friends" (1623) from people of all ethnic backgrounds.

Washington continues his faith in people to cross these human-set boundaries by foretelling of a time when all aspects of lives will be "interlaced" and "the interests of both races one" (1624). Washington strives for justice for all races and envisions a time where all will cast away their preconceived notions about ethnicity. He describes this as "a new heaven and a new earth" (1625).

Washington's values and integrity are revealed throughout his writing. He knows the significance of coming into contact with others through literature, conversation, and traveling (1627) and dedicates his life to teaching African-Americans who otherwise would not have had an opportunity to learn. Also, Washington explains the importance of keeping quiet when he was criticized and condemned for his views.

Although much praise and admiration can be given for Washington's actions and ideals during his time period, it is interesting to note that his ideas on the unity of people with different ethnic backgrounds are slightly skewed. While he urges for African-Americans to live up to their rights and freedoms, he seemed to readily accept and be proud of schools, newspapers and the "coloured people" (1627) as a whole being segregated from the white community. In this and Washington's certainty of his truth being absolute, exploring the criticism by Du Bois and others is essential to balancing the positive and negative aspects of Washington's beliefs and actions.

Originally turned in on February 6, 2006

"Because I could not stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson

Personal Response

This poem immediately reminds me of my past struggle with depression, as she describes 'death' as a man who has come to pick her up for a carriage ride. Countless times, I had visualized my struggle as a carriage ride.

The contrasts are great, however, as my carriage was for life. She seems to be speaking of death in a physical sense and my 'death' was a death occurring inside of me, where I was straining to enjoy life at all. My carriage did not have a driver, and the horses pulling it were running at full speed. I had fallen out of the carriage but was still hanging on by this worn and tattered rope. The exasperating rope. It had to be there, I wanted it to be there, and as much as I hated it at times, I could not force myself to cut it off. It drug me face down on the dirt path and I often wondered why I bothered to hang on at all.

Sometimes I would feel like if maybe just maybe the horses would slow down and the carriage could roll to a stop, I could dig the rocks out of my wounds and brush some dirt off my face and clothing, readying myself for another ride - this time in the carriage.

Or maybe the horses could break off, running away and leaving me alone in a stationary carriage. This option seemed less adventuresome but ultimately safer. At one point in the ride I chose this option. I'm not sure how or when. It didn't seem to happen quickly, or gradually, but neither, if that's possible. Everything seemed 'neither' on that carriage ride.

Eventually, the neither-ness faded and the carriage ride seemed more appealing. I knew I could fall out again. It still scares me that I might. But the idea that I have a chance to ride the carriage at all, fall or not, seems to be all that matters.

Originally turned in on January 22, 2006