Booker T.

A man is only worth where he is willing to work. Just because our ancestors were slaves doesn't mean we do not have a future. Doesn't mean we are slaves. We can achieve greatness. We can be something. God did not give us freedom to just give up. We do not have the freedoms and rights that our ancestors have so we can beg and whine to have all the things that others do. We must pick ourselves up and take every moment as it should be. We must take every moment in life and make something out of it. We have strength. We have health. We have life. We have the due diligence. After all our ancestors work for over 400 years, 400 years on the plantation. And they stood their grounds and they fought the good fight. And they endure unmeasurable hardships. And they were beaten because they did have a will. They did have a spirit. And God did made them equal. And they fought for Lincoln now it is our turn to set the standard. It is our turn to make something out of misery. To make something about strife. To make something out of bitterness. We must show them that we are equal. We must show them that we are smart. We must show them that we are able. We must show them that we are capable. We must show them that we are not just a color or race. We must show them that we are Americans. And as we read in the good Book, we must humble ourselves. We must recognized that we are not alone. There are angels around us. There are angels among us. Even in this time of lynching and time of hatred. We can survive. We are not forsaken. And we are not alone. We have rights. And we have freedoms. Just because we have to provide on our own. Just because we have to make ends meet. Just because we have to pay for clothes and food. We are not alone. Someone is watching over us. Someone is checking in on us. Someone is protecting us. Class Dismissed.

I Booker T. founded this university, Tuskegee. My parents were slaves. My mother who was my real mother and my step father who raised me. They taught me the hardships of this life. And that nothing is easy and nothing is free. Especially for us. That we have to work hard on this earth. That we have to fight hard. i remember when i did not have much and how I would chop wood for my neighbors just to make ends meet. I remember working the land just to provide food, clothing and a place to stay. I mean working in the field like an ox and plow driving my neighbor's fields. But I was determined and undetoured in my ways. And those days are long behind me. I thank God. And after I paid for my education through working and loans from friends, I was inspired to build a school. I wanted to show other men and women how to overcome oppression. They must overcome. Life is not about having everything on a platter. Life is not about free things. Life is about working hard and being diligent. Life is about being respectful and loving yourself as each other. Life is about hoping and dreaming. Life is about fighting for what's right and standing by your word. And if you should die then die for something, die for a reason. Don't die for nothing. Don't give up your life for nothing. Be something and achieve greatness. I was so blessed to have such friends who elevated me. Friends who elevated my stance. I tried to not think highly lest I lose my mind and place in this world. And for the president, Theodore Roosevelt to call me friend and give a son of slaves the chance to change America. I felt like Frederick Douglas and Roosevelt was like Lincoln. I wanted to give everybody the chance especially my people the chance to fight for freedom and exist in this world. Though the way is long, Though the way is hard. We will make it on that stairwell if we keep humble and always walk in humility. We will go higher lifting each generations as the tree. And we all shall be free as we will stay on the stairway to Heaven.