Up From Slavery

Destination Freedom Destination Freedom, dramatization of the great democratic traditions of the Negro people, is brought to you by Station WMAQ as a part of the Pageant of History and of America's own Destination Freedom. From the chaotic days following the Civil War, there emerged a giant of a man who by his own fair struggle and one-track

determination succeeded in becoming the undisputed leader of Southern Negro educators. In a chapter entitled up from slavery, destination freedom tells the story of Booker T. Washington. He was never quite sure of the exact place or exact date of his birth.

But he knew it was in a log cabin 16 feet square, and that the naked earth was the floor. He was never quite sure of what time he stopped working at night. He always knew that when a cop crowed in the dark mornings he awoke and started work.

And he never quite knew who his father was, but he knew he had been watched over by a sad paced woman who never sang until this pregnant morning. He pulled himself up on his elbows in the dark.

It happened to her that I never happened before Mama something matter you awake, son good, then it's gotten into you, too Are you sick? I've been sick now. I'm healed Am I you two when the Sun comes up you'll be here, too, sir Time to go out and feel for work I'll go to the big house and tell the master you know well I'll do your part

son yeah mom it's not time to go up to the big house yet yes it is over see it says when the rooster crows it be out the field here to rooster how would you like the rooster for breakfast mama him and his kind of weakness to work for the master all the years I live well this morning will have him for breakfast