When a white boy
undertakes a task, it is taken for granted that he will succeed. On
the other hand, people are usually surprised if the Negro boy does not
fail. In a word, the Negro youth starts out with the presumption
against him.
The influence of ancestry, however, is important in helping
forward any individual or race, if too much reliance is not placed
upon it. Those who constantly direct attention to the Negro youth's
moral weaknesses, and compare his advancement with that of white
youths, do not consider the influence of the memories which cling
about the old family homesteads. I have no idea, as I have stated
elsewhere, who my grandmother was. I have, or have had, uncles and
aunts and cousins, but I have no knowledge as to where most of them
are. My case will illustrate that of hundreds of thousands of black
people in every part of our country. The very fact that the white boy
is conscious that, if he fails in life, he will disgrace the whole
family record, extending back through many generations, is of
tremendous value in helping him to resist temptations. The fact that
the individual has behind and surrounding him proud family history and
connection serves as a stimulus to help him to overcome obstacles when
striving for success.
The time that I was permitted to attend school during the day was
short, and my attendance was irregular.
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