The colored American., 1901-11-09
can COLOdED MEN SUCCEED IN BUSINESS?
Continued From First Page

IS q cOlOrou man. we nave IOlS S4AON
learned that we are entitled TO no
more consideration because we are
black than other men are who chance
to have red hair, big mouths, or mis-
shapen feet If you will pardon per
sOnaI mention, would say that in my
business as a furniture mover, few
customers, indeed, have l among my
own people; nor do l ask to remove
any mans goods because Of the color
of my complexion or the texture Of
my hair; but because | have put brains
into my humble calling and made the
business OF moving furniture q science.
What is true in this instance is true
in all others, where progress is made.
We are grasping opportunities and
compelling adverse circumstances and
forces TO work together for our profit.
Under the wise leadership Of Booker
T. Washington, we are finding our
bearings, and casting anchor in the
dark and muddy waters Of Industrial
conditions in which we were sent
adTift without rudder, compass, or
means of existence, less than thirty
eight years ago.
1t is not strange that, as business
is a long way from the depth Of the
valley TO the summit of the mountain;
from a barbarian to a master me-
chanic; from the jungles of Africa to
a successful business career, and from
the slave cabin to the professor s
chair. We have not all OutgrOwn the
feeling Of dependence instilled in us
by more than $50 years OF chattel
bondage; many Of us yet shSink from
responsibility, and lack the requisite
amount Of ambition. We recognize
our shortcomings, our peculiar environ
mentS and the limitations of our ex-
perience and powers. We are begin
ming TO learn that if the Negro is to
become more and more a factor in the
business world, he must take a more
active part in all Of the trades, com
petitions, industries, and occupations
Of life. Again, he is learning. slowly
perhaps, but surely, that he must out
grow the weakness and confusion re-
sulting from distracted purposes; that
he must have one aim, and be one
thing all the time. He must stop do
ing Things in a SlipshOd and halfway
manner and become more thorough
He must put the force Of a strong char
acter and determined will power into
whatever he undertakes, and he must
stop stumbling and falling over impedi-
mentS, especially Of his own placing.
The Negro is. however, affected by
nothing now which education and per
sOnal endeavOr will not in time remove
For example, we take the liberty to
refer TO our hOnOred President. who
about fOrty-tWO years ago was born
a slave in Virginia. At an early age
he began the battle for himself untu-
tOred and unframed in all the ways
of life. What he has since accom-
pliShed is a sufficient answer to those
who claim that the Negro is void of
any capacity for doing business, and
that his offspring has 20 chance to
rise in the world. For twenty years
Booker T. Washington has not only
been president of a great industrial in
StitutiOn, but has had very largely the
acquisition, management, investment,
and expenditure of it's finances In re-
cent years there has scarcely been a
month in which he has not been of
tered positions in important and inf1u-
ential business enterprises, as we'll as
in the affairs of government. His ca
reer is evidence that there is plenty
of room at the top for Negro boys who
have sense enough to rise to the level
of their opportunities. The lack is not
so much Of opportunities as Of men. 1t
is fact which cannot be gainSaid that
success still is, and most likely always
will be. question determined very
IarOp1V hV tbo iO6ividnoI E'or +I,o ,,,o =.