It seems that the period of time from the end of the Civil War in 1865 through the period of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and beyond in the south was, arguably, worse than during the time of slavery. Plantation owners treated their slaves as a commodity. They would abuse them but not kill them, lest the owners would have to replace the slave at a cost. During the Jim Crow era southerners viewed blacks as "no value", they wouldn't hesitate to kill them. Many times, the law in those states would look the other way and there was very little retribution.

After reading the passage, my first thought was the length at which Miss Hamer and her friends would go to register to become first-class citizens. Then to add to the struggle was the fact of State employees, (Highway Patrolmen), were willfully interfering with her right to do so as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment to the Constitution in 1869.

This whole statement seems to be from a communist manifesto. Who gets to determine what professions and vocational training are appropriate? The State? So the individual and the desires he or she has, if differing from the what the State deems appropriate, will not to be considered? This does not mix well with "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".

In this sentence, Huey Long incorrectly compares the U.S. similar to that of being on an island with limited resources or food. This is done to exaggerate the belief that the citizens are only allowed what is given to them. During the Depression era, many families began growing their own fruits and vegetables or communities worked together to create a garden co-op to help supplement the needed food. This time in America was truly difficult, yet people became very inventive and resourceful and any kind of waste was considered a sin.

This question that W.E.B DuBois raises is valid when viewed as scholar such that he is. If all things being equal and all former slaves had advanced education then these opinions would be universally shared. However, Mr. Washington formed his opinion that 80 years later Maslow's would describe as a hierarchy of needs. Prior to becoming self actualized and having self esteem one must believe that physiological and safety needs (food, shelter, employment...) have been secured before moving on to belonging and self esteem.

This phrase captured my attention in that Washington was referencing the fact that the two races have grown up together and shared in both the joys and sadness that comes with life.

Booker T. Washington in this excerpt is imploring the white Southerners to treat the newly freed slaves as regular members of society. That through commerce and business transactions the relationship between the two races will grow and flourish.