Booker T. Washington Lit. Response

At the Atlanta Exposition, Booker T. Washington delivered a great speech that became the talk of the South. He addressed his speech to white southerners and to the President as well. Washington wrote this speech to “cement the friendship of the two races.” He wanted the whites to accept black people and treat them like one of their own. Racial unity was very important to Washington and that’s what he tried to get his audience to realize. He connected to them by pathos. He left it in the hands of the south whether this country would be racially unified or separated by color-blindness.
In this speech, Washington starts by addressing his audience immediately, and telling his purpose for giving the speech. This informs the audience on what they’re about to listen to and keeps the audience’s attention. Washington’s speech is very understandable. He explains his theory through a story, which is also another way for the audience to connect to him as a speaker. Washington makes this speech somewhat personal. He talks to the white southerners and blacks directly and tells them his views and what he thinks they should do. He tells the white southerners to give his people a chance to make something of themselves other than just being work hands. He tells blacks to not let the slavery crisis get them down. They can still to make something of themselves. Slavery shouldn’t be an excuse for blacks.
The way Washington delivered his speech grabbed the attention of many people. He related to them by emotion in which they were able to relate. People appreciated his speech, and he was congratulated for it the next day. He even said “…to an extent which embarrassed me so much that I went back to my boarding place.” This speech also helped him gain his audience through ethos. His character attracted people because he was an educated African-American who delivered an exceptional speech. People wanted to hear more of what he had to say and his opinions due to the knowledge he had on certain subjects.
Booker T. Washington was an inspiration to many people in the United States, especially the South. He tried to bring the country together with his powerful speech. He was a great speaker and appealed to everyone, including the President. President Grover Cleveland wrote a letter to Washington addressing his speech. Booker T. Washington is known as a powerful African-American Speaker.