What was Washington's notion of a true gentleman? What famous Examples did he use?
Booker T. Washington in his novel Up from Slavery gives us a clear picture of his notion of a true gentleman. He says that his experience had taught him that the time to test a true gentleman was to observe him when he was in contact with individuals of a race that is less fortunate than his own. He also says that this could be illustrated in no better way than by observing the conduct of the old-school type of Southern gentleman when he was in contact with his former slaves or their descendants.
For explaining his notion Washington provides his readers with the famous example of George Washington. George Washington had met a coloured man in the road once, and seeing him politely lifting his hat had lifted his own hat in return. Some of his white friends who saw the incident criticised Washington for his action. In reply to their criticism George Washington had replied that he would never permit a poor, ignorant, coloured man to be more polite than he was.
For explaining his notion Washington provides his readers with the famous example of George Washington. George Washington had met a coloured man in the road once, and seeing him politely lifting his hat had lifted his own hat in return. Some of his white friends who saw the incident criticised Washington for his action. In reply to their criticism George Washington had replied that he would never permit a poor, ignorant, coloured man to be more polite than he was.