This is a sad testimony of a woman who was beaten because she wanted to "register to become first class citizens." Ms. Hammer was beaten due to the color of her skin and the fact that she lived in the Jim Crow South. Ms. Hamer tells her first hand account of what happened to her in what was supposed to be America...."land of the free and the brave." It is interesting how she was not only beaten by the white man, but by the negro prisoner as well.

Mr. Long's speech is truly informative and raises alot of concerns. As a huge proponent of education, I agree that every child should be afforded the opportunity of education regardless of their families economic status. I also agree that no child should ever starve, especially when some have way more than they could ever use. At the time of this speech, Mr Long reports that "96% of the people live below poverty." That is a tremendous amount of people. It is interesting how the concepts in this speech still hold true today. Mr. Long suggested a homestead allowance furnished by the government - years ago (not in current time), homeowners received a homestead rebate. He also suggested that individuals greater than age sixty receive a pension...today, pension is in existence. I also like the idea of taxing the rich to furnish the payment of such programs.<br> Also, the aspect of caring for war veterans is what we, as Americans, should advocate. I do not agree with limiting the income on the wealthy. I feel if we tax the wealthy at a higher rate it would help with funding the necessary programs.<br> All in all the problems listed in Mr. Long's speech are still prevalent in today's society.

DuBois feels as though Washington is asking the black folks to give up certain rights such as political power, civil rights and higher education. He writes that Washington wants the Negroes to focus only on industrial aspects. He feels as though Washington's thinking will further encourage inferiority among the black folks.

Washington is very bold in this statement. He is telling the white man to "cast down your bucket". In prior passage he also told the black man the same. He is telling the white man to cast his bucket to the black man who has been loyal to the whites in the past. He is asking all to work together and to entrust one another in a different way. Prior to this , the white men entrusted the blacks only to care for their land and their children. They did not trust them to work alongside them, but only to work below them. Washington is asking for a change in this culture.

Booker T Washington was innovative in the fact that he was encouraging the black man to not only live by his hands but ot inspire his brain. He was also trying to instill the notion that tilling the field was as important as writing a poem and that all men had important jobs. That one must start from the bottom and work his way up in life.